The Wrekin's Halfway House is put up for sale

The property is set to go to auction on October 22 at Little Wenlock Village Hall, with an asking price of £300,000.

Halfway House, which as its name suggests sits more or less halfway up the main track to the top, has been a favourite haunt of Wrekin walkers for more than 150 years.

But Mr Bolger, who is 67, said he and his wife were getting too old to continue living there and were moving to Ireland.

Mr Bolger, who has lived there since 1976 with his wife Philomena, 66,have lived in Halfway House since 1976 and have been providing drinks and snacks ever since.

The house has served walkers for a good many years, but I'm just getting a bit mad with it now," said Mr Bolger.

"Whoever ends up buying the property would have to keep the café business going. It's part of the heritage of The Wrekin."

Mr Bolger said he was looking forward to getting his weekends back after selling the house.

He said: "Maintaining both the property and the business is a lot of hard work at our age, so we're downsizing."

According to Knight Frank, the unusual property, which is – as the name suggests – roughly halfway up the main Wrekin footpath, has already prompted a rush of requests for viewings.

However, Mr Bolger said: "I'm hoping that I'll be able to accept a decent offer beforehand."

The four bedroom property sits on three-quarters of an acre of land and features a range of outhouses, including a former dance pavilion, a static caravan and garden.

Potential buyers also have the chance of buying a further 12 acres from a local landowner, according to Mr Bolger.

In the past, Mr Bolger has used this land to keep sheep.

The owners have continued to provide drinks and snacks for walkers since they moved in more than 35 years ago.

Because of its location, the café business attracts about 80,000 visitors each year, according to a survey conducted by Mr Bolger in conjuction with the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

The café is also popular with the participants and spectators of the annual Wrekin Barrel Race – where runners must carry a full nine gallon barrel of beer to the top in the quickest possible time.

Mr Bolger added: "We've hosted a variety of very memorable events at the house over the years, including barbecues and running races."

The Halfway House certainly has a long tale to tell, with the earliest owner dating from 1842.

George Evans, 90, a renowned expert on The Wrekin, said: "I suspect it was built as a hunting lodge, possibly in Georgian times.

"It was bought, along with a third of The Wrekin, by William Cludde of Orleton Hall."

Mr Evans said it appeared on older maps as Upper Wrekin Cottage, but was usually simply called Wrekin Cottage or Halfway House.

"Its address was changed at the request of Mr Bolger.

"It was getting mixed up with Wrekin College, and he didn't want their post going to him, and his stuff going to the college."

One of the best-known owners was Miss Birrell, who became famous for her plates of ham and eggs.

Mr Evans said: "It was fashionable to order a plate of ham and eggs on the way up, and then on the way down it would be ready – and so would your appetite."

One attraction of the house that might still be welcomed today were the donkeys, which were used to transport those who struggled to walk, or those who were simply too lazy, up to the Wrekin summit.

Mr Evans, a former teacher, reminisced of a time he took one of his classes to the Halfway House. At times there were goats kept there. I remember taking a group of kids up with the usual papers to write notes on. One of them said: 'Oh sir, the goat's eaten my notes'.

"Several of the kids rushed to feed their notes to the goats. I said: 'Oh dear, in that case you'll have to write them out all again.' The kids promptly stopped."

The auction is scheduled for October 22, 6pm at The Village Hall, Little Wenlock, unless previously sold.

For inquiries contact Jonathon Bengough on (01432) 273087.