An historic Widecombe pub that attracts customers from across the world is on sale for only the third time in its 174-year history. The Grade II Rugglestone Inn has gone on the market with an asking price in excess of £725,000 after its owners, Rod and Diane Williams, decided to retire. The couple bought the pub, which was first converted from a cottage in 1832, four years ago. The previous owners had acquired it 10 years before that from the same family that was granted the first drinks licence for the property when King William IV, uncle to Queen Victoria, was on the throne and Charles, Earl Grey, was Prime Minister. Speaking to The Advertiser about the sale, Mr Williams said that after starting work at the age of 15 the prospect of a rest was an attractive one. 'I haven't really ever stopped working so it's fair to say that both myself and my wife are looking forward to taking things a bit easier,' he said. But Mr Williams added that whoever took on the business should appreciated its unique character and invest much more more than cash alone. 'Without sounding arrogant I hope it's the same sort of people as ourselves,' he told this paper. 'We've always lived in the area and we knew most of the regulars before we took it on. Whoever takes it after us should keep it exactly the way it is as it's unique and that's how people like it. 'Anyone who doesn't recognise that would be a fool.' The pub is named after the nearby granite logan or rocking stone, which weighs an estimated 115 tons and, according to legend, requires divine intervention to set it in motion. Fans of locally-produced food and drink know the Rugglestone for its range of Devon beers and ciders and home-cooked food that has made the pub a guide book favourite. Mr and Mr Williams said they intended to remain in the district and concentrate on developing another family business, the Richard Anthony Hairdressing Salon in Ashburton.