These Are The Most Interesting Historic Hotels In The UK & Ireland
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2 years ago
These hotels are steeped in history
Step back in time with some of Britain’s most historic hotels, says Tessa Dunthorne.
The Best Historic Hotels In Great Britain & Ireland
The Priory Hotel
Where? Dorset
Tell us about it: Older than the fall of the Byzantine empire, The Priory hotel and its Grade II*- listed building has sat on its site for over a millennium. It’s nestled in a conservation area, to boot, and its traditional guest rooms offer peeks of the River Frome and the Purbeck Hills. theprioryhotel.co.uk
The Talbot Inn
Where? Somerset
Tell us about it: This is steeped in history, holding secrets in its own eaves… Hidden tunnels from the Reformation hide in the inn’s flagstones, and it sits a stone’s throw away from the remains of a Roman village. A 30-minute drive from Bath, it’s the perfect base for exploring the area. talbotinn.com
The Montagu Arms
Where? New Forest
Tell us about it: The site of an inn since the 16th century, in the heart of Beaulieu village, the Grade II-listed building on the site today was completed in 1888 in the fashionable Arts & Crafts style, and since then it has hosted guests including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Henry Irving and Charles de Gaulle. montaguarmshotel.co.uk
The Beckford Arms
Where? Wiltshire
Tell us about it: A traditional country inn with a fascinating history, The Beckford Arms was established in 1740 during the reign of George II. It even hosts a tiny library of Olympic rowing artefacts from the owner’s own collection of family heirlooms. beckfordarms.com
The Peacock At Rowsley
Where? Derbyshire
Tell us about it: This has hosted guests since 1820, and the history remains marked on the walls; pore over sketches by hotel owner Lord Edward Manner’s great-grandmother. Here you’re also close to Chatsworth, Haddon Hall and Hardwick Hall. thepeacockatrowsley.com
The Bath Arms
Where? Wiltshire
Tell us about it: The village this pub sits in can be traced in the Domesday Book – but this pub was built in the 17th century, dubbed the Marquess of Bath Arms in 1850. It’s now a recently reopened 16 bedroom space adorned with old antiques, modern art and homely furnishings. batharmsinn.com
The Royal Oak
Where? Berkshire
Tell us about it: Legend has it that in 1643, King Charles I stopped by for a quick bite to eat on his way to the battle of Newbury – and today it’s still home to excellent grub, twice named Berkshire Dining Pub of the year. royaloakyattendon.co.uk
Thornbury Castle
Where? Bristol
Tell us about it: A proper castle to call your own for a night – or longer, if you wish. Thornbury was once the country retreat of King Henry VIII, and remains beautifully preserved to this day. Dine in the dungeon, stay in the Catherine of Aragon Tower Suite, and go back in time with archery lessons and falconry demonstrations. thornburycastle.co.uk
The Feathered Nest
Where? The Cotswolds
Tell us about it: Set in the tiny, scenic Cotswolds village of Nether Westcote, this pub with rooms first opened in the 17th century, and started its life as a malt house. Perhaps for that reason, you should enjoy a cold beer by this historic hotel’s stony fireplace or in its Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant. thefeatherednestinn.co.uk
Brown’s Hotel
Where? London
Tell us about it: As London’s first hotel, opened in 1837, Brown’s is steeped in history. Walk the same halls as Pulitzer Prize and Oscar winners – Rudyard Kipling also wrote The Jungle Book here – before cosying up in the effortlessly chic luxury hotel suites. roccofortehotels.com
The Mitre Hampton Court
Where? Kingston Upon Thames
Tell us about it: The Mitre was reportedly originally built in 1665 at the direction of Charles II as a ‘hostel for visitors to the Palace’. Its location, a stone’s throw from Hampton Court, means it has had a front row seat to many royal shenanigans over the centuries. mitrehamptoncourt.co.uk
The Pig – At Bridge Place
Where? Kent
Tell us about it: The Pig at Bridge Place was potentially built on the site of an ancient hall dating back to the Abbey of Augustine – but the hotel as it stands today was erected in 1638. Its halls have seen society’s finest for centuries – from Sir Arnold to the knights of the day. Its period features have been charmingly restored. thepighotel.com
