Author adds stories to the walls of Saddlworth Hotel
In the quaint Gilbert Valley town of Saddleworth, an unexpected chapter is coming to an end. The historic Saddleworth Hotel, which hasn’t served a drop of beer since 2007, is up for sale.
Priced at $850k, this 1869 gem boasts 18 rooms, including ten bedrooms, four bathrooms, and six car parking spaces, spread over a generous 2748 square meter lot. For the past two years, the old pub has been the muse and home of author Portia Stanton-Noble.
A self-confessed gypsy, Portia moved into the old pub with a dream she had harboured since she was eight years old. She had devoured thousands of novels but had struggled to put pen to paper. But all that changed when she stepped into the historic walls of the Saddleworth Hotel.
Originally known as the Exmouth Hotel, one of three watering holes in Saddlworth, the pub was opened with an extravagant ball in 1869, before changing to become the Saddlworth Hotel in 1942.
“I do often imagine what must have happened in these walls. It’d be good if the walls could talk,” Stanton-Noble said.
Those walls soon became the perfect backdrop for Portia’s writing. After numerous attempts at novel-writing over the years, the words began to flow. While she’s now working on her fifth novel, a fusion of murder mystery, romance, comedy and plenty of steamy sex scenes, her previous book, which is currently with the publishers, is the fourth and final instalment of a series set in a fictional South Australian town. The debut novel, “The Big Dead Dry,” set the tone for the series, and has received four and five-star ratings, with fans eagerly waiting to see how it all ends, in “Dead Goes The Neighbourhood”. “Be prepared,” Portia said. “There’s some surprising new twists and a circus comes to town, in the midst of new murder investigations.”
Portia has called Saddleworth home for the past seven years, much longer than she initially planned. The country community, well-nourished with authors, and the pub’s ideal writing environment played a significant role in her extended stay. She struck up a friendship with fellow author Linda Humphries (aka Lilly Barrett), and together, they put together this year’s 150th year of Saddleworth celebration. They’re also hosting their second book event in Saddleworth this September, inviting other authors to showcase their work.
Despite her success and deep connection to Saddleworth, Portia’s gypsy spirit calls her to new adventures. When asked about her plans, she coyly replies, “I can’t talk about that.” First, she’s focusing on selling the property.
The Saddleworth Hotel, with its two bars, billiard room, and ample space, offers a unique opportunity for buyers looking for a piece of history.
Portia has kept all the integral parts of the pub intact, including the front bar, which will no doubt tell a few more stories in years to come. It’s not just a property – it’s a slice of Saddleworth’s history, waiting for its next owner to write the next chapter.
So, if you’re in the market for a historic property with charm, character, and a dash of literary magic, the Saddleworth Hotel might just be your next great adventure.
To find out more about Portia Stanton-Noble and her collection of novels click here.
And if you’re keen on the idea of owning a pub or housing a hoard of friends and family, check out the unique property here.
