Adrian Potts, landlord at the Barge Inn, Honey Street, near Alton Barnes, Wiltshire – the internationally known meeting place for crop circle enthusiasts for many years – tells me he's calling it a day.

He and his wife June have run the pub and its one-and- a-half acre campsite, alongside the Kennet and Avon Canal, with splendid views across to the White Horse on Milk Hill, since 1993.

The pub's special crop circle information room is visited by thousands from around the world every year to learn about the mysterious phenomenon and find out where the latest formations are appearing.

The room has a striking ceiling mural, commissioned by Adrian from artist Vince Palmer in 1997, depicting the four seasons and mystical Wiltshire landmarks such as Stonehenge and Avebury.

One can only hope that new leaseholders will preserve the room as well as the inn's essential "village pub" character.

Adrian and June say the economic climate has intensified their search for someone to take over the lease.

"And the past two summers' weather hasn't helped at all – we're seasonally driven, of course," said Adrian, 56, born a Bristolian and a lifelong Western DailyPress reader.

"I think we've done our time, as it were.

"It will be a sad day when we go because it's a beautiful spot here."

Adrian keeps an open mind about crop circles. "Some people come in and say they've made these things, but it's still a mystery in that magnificent formations occur in the shortest hours of darkness," he said.

Built to coincide with the opening of the canal, the Barge Inn dates from 1810, as does the White Horse, so they will soon be celebrating their 200th anniversaries.

Known originally as the George, fire destroyed most of the original building in 1858, but it was rebuilt within six months.

June is retiring but Adrian plans to continue working in a capacity allied to the licensed trade.

The pub's lease, with Punch Taverns, is available for £150,000 and is being offered by Dowling Kerr Estates, of Huddersfield.