A UNIQUE riverside village pub where drinkers park in England and drink in Wales has been sold.

The Boat Inn beside the old Redbrook railway bridge is officially in Wales, but is accessed across the Wye on foot from the village football club’s public car park in England.

Dating back to the 1800s, it is one of the oldest public houses in the Wye Valley, and has been bought by Debbie Burch of the Three Tuns in Chepstow.

Previous owner Shaleen Goodman is looking to retire and relocate to France after 13 years at the helm of the popular Wye Valley AONB watering hole, which is renowned for its rustic charm, real ale and cider, and has its very own rock-face waterfall in its gardens overlooking the bridge.

She spent “considerable time, effort and capital rejuvenating the property, which had previously slipped into disrepair”, said a spokesperson for property adviser Christie & Co, which handled the sale.

And Mrs Goodman added: “We have enjoyed our time at the helm of the Boat Inn and we are now looking forward to a new adventure in France.

“We wish Debbie all the best for the future and thank Corrina Jones at Christie & Co for all of her help.”

Although many refer to it as The Boat in Redbrook, it is officially in Penallt, the picturesque village situated above the Wye Valley.

New owner Debbie said: “The plans for the future are to carry on running The Boat with the same team of staff.”