Wetherspoon founder's quiet life in pretty coastal town where properties fetch millions

Sir Tim Martin, 70, hails from Northern Ireland and was born in 1955. Following his father's footsteps, who worked for Guinness, he too ventured into the pub industry.

After earning a law degree from Nottingham University and qualifying as a barrister, Sir Tim chose to pursue a career in the pub sector. Convinced that he could manage his own pub, he purchased one in North London at the tender age of 24.

In 1979, he acquired a pub in the posh neighbourhood of Muswell Hill. Initially named Martin's Free House, it was later rebranded to Wetherspoon, reportedly as a jibe at a former teacher who doubted Sir Tim's business acumen.

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Muswell Hill, now an even more sought-after location, is just five miles from central London and offers a suburban, leafy atmosphere. The high street is lined with independent eateries and quality shops for locals to enjoy.

The average house price in Muswell Hill is approximately £900,000 to £930,000, according to Rightmove, reports Devon Live.

Meanwhile, flats are significantly cheaper, averaging around £475,000 to £500,000, while terraced and semi-detached houses are priced much higher, often in the £1.2 million to £1.7 million range.

As Sir Tim's success multiplied, so did the number of pubs across London, allowing him and his wife, Felicity, to expand their family.

The couple went on to have four children together (they now boast 12 grandchildren), which might have provided an even greater incentive to ensure Wetherspoon's success.

In 1992, the pub chain JD Wetherspoon made its first appearance on the stock exchange and by the turn of the millennium, it had opened its 400th branch. These pubs are predominantly located in historic buildings, known for their unique carpets, extensive menus, and pocket-friendly prices.

Fast forward to today, JD Wetherspoon plc has a market value of roughly £747 million as of September 2025, according to Stock Analysis. And Sir Tim leads a private life in Exeter, Devon with his wife.

The average house price in Exeter was around £279,000 as of June 2025, according to Rosewood Property. This reflects a slight decrease from the previous year, with the average price for first-time buyers at £240,000 in June 2025.

Exeter, situated on the River Exe in southwest England, is a historic city in the county of Devonshire. It's most famous for the Exeter Cathedral, the West Country's most visited landmark.

The city boasts a plethora of attractions, including its underground passages and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, a world-class museum with breathtaking displays and galleries.

Over time, Exeter has gained popularity as a residential area due to its close proximity to both Dartmoor and the coast.