Period places to stay

[christianb]

As enthusiasts of older buildings and heritage, I thought I'd ask if anyone who uses these forums whether they knew of any places to stay (hotels, inns or otherwise) that either have (a) connections to famous historic figures or events or (b) are of particular architectural merit.

As some of you might know, I have a little sideline website http://www.nightsinthepast.com. This, I hasten to add is more of a labour-of-love than going concern - it sure won't make me a dotcom millionaire. But I'd still like to expand it over time.

I'm not interested in those places where some obscure third-rate aristocrat stayed, but rather those who most people will have heard of. And in the case of period buildings, they should really have retained as much of their original charm as possible - i.e. not have been wrecked by some fast-buck corporates.

And, lastly, they shouldn't be hell-holes you wouldn't let your worst enemy stay in.

Any thoughts gratefully received.

C.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Gosh- what an interesting task! There must be a lot you can use from other hotel books, surely? Must. Be thousands of these but the first that springs to mind is the George, stamford, (www.georgehotelofstamford.com), everyone stayed there- liz 1, Charles dickens, to name just 2- and it's exquisite, and the food is amazing, and everyone should go and have a look at Stamford!

 

[Nigel Watts]

I had a long weeeknd with my family at Ettington Park Hotel in Warwickshire to celebrate my 50th birthday earlier in the year. I knew of the house from Marc Girouard's "The Victorian Country House" - definitely one for the bibliography. It's on the cusp between charming country house hotel and unfortunate conversion to corporate conference centre (a frequent problem) - rather the wrong side of it I fear in this case - but I went with a "pint glass half full" attitude and enjoyed myself. The kids had a great time and loved the pool, hot tub etc. Very kind, nice member of staff with Tourette's syndrome - so good to see him so well integrated into the establishment.

 

[Nigel Watts]

Sorry I should have mentioned that the architecture, at least on the outside, is great - a fantastic rendition of Ruskinesque polychromatic gothic - as is the parkland setting. Bikes and wellies are provided.

 

[christianb]

the first that springs to mind is the George, stamford

That's one that I came across very early in the research! As, indeed, another piece of Lincolnshire / national history in the Angel & Royal in Grantham - amazing heritage.

Obviously, there are plenty of publications I haven't pored over for information and inspiration yet. But I also believe that there's a lot of "undocumented" stuff out there - especially with regard to the intenet. I hope that someone might have some good "word of mouth" info, you see!

C.

 

[christianb]

Thanks for the Ettington Park headas-up, Nigel. I'll have a look into it when I get a chance.

I should also stress that in putting the thing together I really have had to employ a "cut-off" point - even if it is slightly arbitary. With regard to those places that qualify on period/architectural grounds alone (i.e. people like Winston Churchill, Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes weren't esteemed former guests!) I thought that anything dating from after the mid-1800's was probably too recent. There are so many Victorian properties out there that the task would just be too big and slightly dilute the overall theme.

C.

 

[JoceAndChris]

My friend loves The Samling, in The Lake District, where Wordsworth went to pay his rent.

Alistair Sawday's "Special Places to Stay" is full of tempting delights.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

I realise you have to cut off somewhere, but that cut off point disallows my favourite holiday resort completely and one with a clientele that includes
H G Wells, George Bernard Shaw, Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson, King Zog of Albania, Frank Lloyd Wright, Patrick O'Brian, Noel Coward, Brian Epstein, Augustus John, Thor Heyerdal, John Steinbeck, Alastair Sim, old Uncle Tom Cobbley and all
http://www.portmeirion-village.com/
And it's still not too corporatised

 

[Moo]

If it's ancient you want, what about Dartington Hall http://www.dartingtonhall.com/?
It was our regular summer holiday for over twelve years at the summer music school (a sort of musical Butlins) and I've just discovered that it does B/B and weddings and suchlike now.

 

[fjpdesigns]

Landmark Trust has loads of interesting places on their site, although I presume you have a lot of them listed already.
www.landmarktrust.org.uk

 

[christianb]

If it's ancient you want, what about Dartington Hall

Looks good to me - one that slipped through the net, for sure.

Much, in fact, as the Saracen's Head in Notts did until recently http://www.nightsinthepast.com/nottinghamshire.html

It's finding places like that which really make doing the site so enjoyable.

C.

 

[Penners]

Landmark Trust has loads of interesting places on their site, although I presume you have a lot of them listed already.

And don't forget the Vivat Trust. http://www.vivat.org.uk/

 

[Penners]

http://www.enjoyengland.com/ideas/heritage-and-culture/places-to-stay/stay-in-a-castle.aspx

http://www.hudsonsguide.co.uk/historic_accommodation.php

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/where_to_stay/article1267023.ece

 

[christianb]

Thanks, Penners.

I've looked at the likes of the Landmark Trust (who I believe do a great job, by the way), but the theme there is more self-catering rather than hotel, inn or B&B. Mind you, I'd still make mention of a place on their books if it had been the home of some romantic poet, or such. Go down the period cottage route and there would be an almost inexhaustible supply of places... and I'd probably fade away trying to include all of them!!!

C.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Super idea and some good places--even in Bedfordshire!
Big gap tho' what about North Norfolk, The Hoste, The Victoria , :wink:

 

[christianb]

Thanks, Jocelyn. You've reminded me about the Hoste Arms which I completely forgot to include after scribbling information in the notebook - I even spoke with the chap who runs the place, Paul, a while back.

Incidentally, I also set up a Facebook group - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=221728440401 - if anyone thinks of somewhere when this thread has disappeared into forum limbo.

C.

 

[biffvernon]

I see you don't have our B&B listed in the Lincolnshire section. Harrummph.

 

[christianb]

I see you don't have our B&B listed in the Lincolnshire section. Harrummph.

Well, not yet! If you've got a web link for info and the entry could be linked to tripadvisor, I'll have a shufty in due course.

C.

 

[christianb]

Having been afflicted with the flu (and I mean the real stuff, not just the "bloke" variety) for a few days, I've been mucking about with the site and improved the section to do with the oldest places to stay in the UK - something which might appeal to PPUK-ers.

Anyhoo, if you think there's somewhere missing from the list, or an inclusion that shouldn't be there, please let me know.

http://www.nightsinthepast.com/ukoldesthotels.html

 

[lou]

I have stayed twice at this place in mid Wales - it's said to be the oldest inhabited house in Wales though I am hoping to challenge that once our dendrology is completed! Annie and John are London escapees and it's a very laid back vibe, man. Annie still retains a hangover London fashion-shopping habit but has furnished the house beautifully with very old and not so old antiques. Only two bedrooms, both ensuite and very reasonably priced. We were offered a glass of wine on arrival and John can talk for Wales, though he's English, on the architectural vernacular of 15thcentury mid Wales. Though, I thought that before I bought my place and am now capable of boring all my friends with talk of champfered beams and dais partitions. Really good breakfast too.

One word of warning: The room with the wonderful decorated cruck frame does leak smoke fumes from below so I'd go for the bedroom on the right at the top of the stairs.

http://www.hafodygarreg.co.uk/