Historic Hotels in England

The Oval, Dunster
Vacation Home in

Available on:

Historic Accommodation

Year erected: 1366

What is the history of the property?
The Oval is one of the earliest houses built in Dunster. The house was originally a hall house, one large room with a fire central to it. Everyone who lived in the house shared one or two rooms, including the animals if the weather was especially harsh.

The fireplace is likely to have been on the street side, rather than where it is now, like the orange and black ‘cobb’ cottage you see further down the street. At this time - around 1320-40s - the other houses in the street would have been The Stag pub (which also had a wooden screen until a hundred or so years ago) and Spears Cross, the B and B further up West Street going towards the castle. The rest of this part of West Street probably had temporary houses of wattle and daub filling in the gaps. Some of the other smaller cottages between here and Spears Cross would have been built after the Black Death of 1348.

The wood panelling in the hallway is extremely old – you can see marks throughout where the carpenters have worked it by hand. It’s likely the screen in the hallway was added around 1450 -1500 to enclose the hall house, giving a mezzanine level where the main bedroom is now. It is unusual for this to remain as they were mostly pulled down in the Victorian era as walls were added.

The cruck beams in the main bedroom are of historical importance for this area of West Somerset. They are made from one large piece of wood and, unusually, they retain their original wooden pegs and holes. The craftsmanship and size of the beams suggest the person who built The Oval would have been wealthy. The beams came from the local area and are of historical significance, hence the Grade II listing.

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
The basic structure of the house is cob, which is a wooden frame filled with rubble, stones and held together with lime plaster. This is the 1366 building - slap bang in the middle of the medieval period.

During the Tudor period, the wooden screen was added and probably the fireplace was moved to the wall (rather than the middle of the downstairs) and a staircase was added.

In 1810 there was a fire that devastated the cottage, and changes were made as a result.

In the Victorian era we think the twin bedroom was added. And at some point in the 1960 or 70s, an extension was added at the back to create a larger kitchen and the dining room.

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
Dunster is the largest remaining intact medieval village in England. Almost all the properties on West Street, Church Street and the High Street are listed to protect their unique architecture. But there are also Georgian an Victorian buildings dotted around the main street and in the back streets too.

Has restoration work taken place?
The present owner has made very few changes, all in line with the permitted development based on the Grade II listing. She has added secondary double glazing and added a sun deck at the top of the garden on the hill.

Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
The wooden screen in the main hallway, the cruck beam in the main bedroom, the wooden window and door frame to the utility room, the wooden door frames in the 'Snug' room and at the top of the stairs.

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
Grade II listed. Channel 4's Time Team has dendrodated the property to 1366. The photos are from that visit.

Historical England are in the process of the same dating.

Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify?
The ceilings in the lower half of the property are low as you would expect. It is a deceptively large house, and the historical features sit happily side by side with the modern day comforts.

White House Farm
Bed & Breakfast in

Available on:

Historic Accommodation

Year erected: 1500

What is the history of the property?
It was a yeomans house

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
Medieval

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
There are some older houses

Has restoration work taken place?
Yes

Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?
No

Are there any significant events that took place at the property in the past?
No

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
Grade 2 listed

Swafield Hall
Apartments in

Available on:

Historic Accommodation

Year erected: 1550

What is the history of the property?
Grade II listed 16th century Swafield Hall is mentioned in “The Buildings of England” by Nicolaus Pevsner and Bill Wilson.

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
The Hall has a brick and flint Tudor North facade and a lime washed Georgian South elevation. The historic interiors include the stunning 17 meters long vaulted Ground Floor Hallway, with marble flooring and Georgian yellow walls and the chandeliers on the 18th century main staircase.

Has restoration work taken place?
Extensive restoration was undertaken from 2015 to 2018

Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
Local legend reports that Admiral Nelson stayed in Swafield Hall, and some believe that the house is inhabited by a friendly ghost.

Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
The Hall is Grade II listed

Would you describe your property as (or has it ever been in the past) a:

✔ Mansion

Trehellas Country House Hotel, Steak House & Grill
Country House in

Available on:

Historic Accommodation

Year erected: 1745

What is the history of the property?
Trehellas House has a long and interesting history, being at various times a farm house, a court house and the local village inn where many village functions were held.

When Maclean wrote his history of the parish of Egloshayle, Trehellas was know as the Washaway Inn where the monthly Petty sessions for the hundred of Trigg were still being held, The Long room of the inn was still used as a magistrates court into the 20th century dealing with minor offences such as drunkenness. The old joke was that those convicted or acquited consoled themselves or celebrated by popping downstairs for a drink.

In January 1760 a meeting of the justices and deputy Lieutenants was convened there. Frequent surveys for the sale of timber were also held at the inn. In the seventeen hundreds a venison club whose members comprised of the local gentry, dined at the inn several times a year. On the 9th November 1775 it seems that Sir William Molesworth of Pencarrow was set up as a candidate for membership and on December the 15th he was elected.

By the 1930s Trehellas was just a farmhouse, The farm being worked by the Lobb brothers, one of whom lived at Dunmere and did a milk round into Bodmin. He also ran a service taking batteries into Bodmin to be recharged, as at that time radios needed a wet cell that only held about 2 weeks charge.

At the end of WWII, a youth club with about 70 members was set up. The club met in the Long Room of Trehellas. The washaway families set up the very successful Washaway Concert parties which toured their shows around the local villages. Dances were held in the Long room. Sadly these activity's had to come to an end as the Lobb brothers felt that they disturbed the cows in the dairy below.

Trehellas was eventually sold to someone who wanted to turn it into a restaurant which was called Wash Away Your Troubles. After this it became the taste of Malaya, a restaurant specialising in Malayan food. Now it is the extremely popular and successful Trehellas House Hotel and restaurant owned and run by Alistair Hunter.

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What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
Traditional Cornish stone

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
Pencarrow House at the rear of the hotel

Has restoration work taken place?
no

Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
The Court Room

Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?
Lots of important guests all the time, Dames to Lords to M.Ps

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
Grade 2 listed

Would you describe your property as (or has it ever been in the past) a:

✔ Farmhouse

Pillarbox Cottage
Lodge in

Available on:

Historic Accommodation

Year erected: 1600

What is the history of the property?
Property is the barns of the nearby farmhouse. It was used as a council depot before the main barn was converted into a dwelling in 1996. Pillarbox Cottage was converted in 2008. It still has many original beams visible in the ceiling.

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
The cottage is in a small courtyard with three dwellings.

Has restoration work taken place?
Only in the sense it was tastefully converted in 2008 from a garage.

Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
The exposed are quite impressive.

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
Property is Grade 2 listed.

Would you describe your property as (or has it ever been in the past) a:

✔ Barn

Pilgrim Corner
Vacation Home in

Available on:

Historic Accommodation

Year erected: 1700

What is the history of the property?
Built in 16th or 17th Century, Pilgrim Corner has been a public house and a popular tea room (in the 1950s). It is likely to have been two small cottages which were combined into the large four bedroomed house it is today.

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
It is a thatched cob cottage, typical of the style. In a conservation area at the bottom of North Hill, this and neighbouring cottages are characterised by very tall chimneys to allow the fire to draw.

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
This area of Minehead is called 'Upper Town', 'Higher Town' or 'Old Town' all of which encapsulate its location and style. The area is picturesque, and Pilgrim Corner is one of the most photographed thatched cottage in Minehead - and Somerset - due to its appearance and location next to local beauty spot Church Steps.

Has restoration work taken place?
As a large Grade II listed cottage, we are regularly attending to the maintenance of the cottage. No major works have been required - except for an entire rethatch in 2018.

Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
The 'squint' window by the front door. Beautiful window seats and mullion windows to the front of the house. Wooden beams in the front room, kitchen and Peacock bedroom. Large, sweeping staircase. A VR red postbox in the front wall - still in daily use.

Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?
Those who have owned Pilgrim Corner feel a certain privilege. We are in touch with two relatively recent owners, one of whom ran the 'Pilgrims Corner' tea room in the 1950s and 1960s. It was notorious for its beautiful tea garden and marvellous cakes!

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
Grade II listed

Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify?
The garden is of particular note. Not only is it large, and very beautiful, but we've found historical items such as clay pipes, ancient pottery, oyster shells and sheep bones - all providing an insight into the lives of previous residents.

Marlborough Arms
Hotel in

Available on:

Historic Hotel

Year erected: 1469

What is the history of the property?
Originally the George Inn

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
Situated in centre of town, 5 mins walk of Blenheim Palace

Has restoration work taken place?
Yes

Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?
Winston Churchill regular visitor

The Old Sweet Shop
Vacation Home in

Available on:

Historic Accommodation

Year erected: 1700s

What is the history of the property?
Tudor cottage built in the 16th Century and split into two dwellings. The room we call 'Strawberry Sherbet' was the sweet shop/grocery store certainly by the 1900s, if not earlier. Part of the Luttrell's significant estate, in 1947 the family sold it to the then owners for the princely sum of £48.

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
It's a cob cottage, which is lime render over cobblestone, with a thatched roof. As with all the properties on this part of Vicarage Road, the chimneys are especially high to allow a fire to draw.

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
Most of the houses in the conservation area are Grade II listed. Known as “Higher Town”, the cottages housed workers employed on the Dunster castle estate. This is the quietest, oldest and prettiest part of Minehead. The Old Sweet Shop was the centre of this tiny hamlet's daily life in the 1900s and on.

Has restoration work taken place?
Brought in January 2016, the cottage had been seriously neglected. A significant architect-led refurbishment took place, which included adding two en-suite bathrooms and major repairs throughout - all with the relevant permissions. The thatch was returned to the front door and the Victorian extension which had been tiled. The garden was seriously overgrown and many hours of hard physical work and careful replanting have brought it back to life once again.

Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
Beautiful mullion windows in the front room with their original fixings and hardware. Stunning exposed beams in the front room and throughout. A large fireplace with aged scorch marks made by the tips of a hot poker on the large wooden mantelpiece. Large open spiral staircase. Tall chimneys typical of the area. A lovely thatched roof. Pretty bay shop window which is used for regularly changing window displays.

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
Grade II listed

Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify?
One of the original shop signs can be found in the entrance hall. Here’s what our neighbour Keith told us: “I used to pop in to the sweet shop every morning in 1959 before school for my bag of strawberry sherbet. Then I’d pop back up again after school and buy two strawberry gobstoppers. We had to go in and out quickly before Mr Arthur and Eric James, the two dairy farmers from Moor Farm. They used to bring their cows up past the shop for milking twice a day. If you were unlucky enough to bump into the cows, it could get very messy and I’d get sent home from school for being smelly!”

The White Lion Inn
Inn in

Available on:

Historic Accommodation

Year erected: 1600

What is the history of the property?
Originally a farmhouse that has brewed beer since at least 1700

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
Tudor

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
11th Century church opposite, with Sir Robert Peels House, Hampton Manor , 500 yds away. The village has many historic buildings, including Fentham Hall, Beech House and many historic cottages

Has restoration work taken place?
Yes

Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?
Oliver Cromwell's commander stayed here

Would you describe your property as (or has it ever been in the past) a:

✔ Farmhouse

Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify?
We 6 miles from Kenilworth Castle, 12 miles from Warwick Castle, 12 miles from Henley in Arden (Ann Hathaways House) 17 miles from Stratford on Avon

The Bell in Ticehurst
Inn in

Available on:

Historic Accommodation

Year erected: 1560

What is the history of the property?
The story of The Bell stretches back to around 1560 when it was a rather showy Tudor building. Over the years it was remodelled and extended with additions of bedrooms, kitchen and the assembly room for concerts, weddings and community gatherings. We have smoothed out the rougher edges but preserved the wonderful imperfections that somehow made it perfect.

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
No

Has restoration work taken place?
Yes

Pickmere Country House
Hotel in

Available on:

Historic Hotel

Year erected: 1772

What is the history of the property?
Originally built as a farmhouse, the largest in Cheshire in it's day, with 95 acres of land the house was converted into a guest house in the 1980's

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
Georgian, built during the reign of George ll

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
It is a rural property set in the middle of the village of Pickmere. There are a few other buildings in the village of the same era

Has restoration work taken place?
Work is on going all the time

Would you describe your property as (or has it ever been in the past) a:

✔ Farmhouse

Dovecliff Hall Hotel
Hotel in

Available on:

Historic Hotel

Year erected: 1790

What is the history of the property?
Dovecliff Hall is a building steeped in history. A Georgian manor house dating back to 1790, it was built for the family of Thomas Thornewill, the owner of a forge converted from Stretton corn mill.
In the 19th century, it was owned by Lord Bass who made many contributions to Burton, including the Ferry Bridge.
The grounds in the late 1840s covered 39 a.Thornewill was succeeded in 1843 by his son Edward (d. 1866), whose widow Mary continued to live at Dove Cliff until her death in 1880. In 1881 their son, Edward John, sold the estate to William Joseph Smith of Alvaston , who also bought the family's iron works at Stretton. Smith died in 1891, and in 1897 his widow Frances sold Dove Cliff house with 55 a. to Hugh Spencer Charrington, a Burton brewer, already the tenant. Charrington died apparently in 1921, and the house remained unoccupied in 1928. It was a hotel in 1932, but seems to have been a private house again by 1936 when was bought by Colonel Sharpe. Known as Dovecliff Hall by 1987, it was opened that year once more as a hotel, still its use in 1999.

Built of red brick with stone dressings on a square 5bayed plan, the two-storeyed house has a hipped roof, sash windows, and external doorways with Ionic colonettes. The north projecting porch was added, probably when the house was re-ordered internally in the 1890s or early 1900s.

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
Georgian Manor House

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
Tutbury Castle

Has restoration work taken place?
Yes

Would you describe your property as (or has it ever been in the past) a:

✔ Mansion

Thatched Cottage Hotel
Hotel in

Available on:

Historic Hotel

Year erected: 1627

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
Traditional Thatched Cottage

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
Located in the centre of the New Forest. Following the Norman Conquest, the New Forest was proclaimed a royal forest, in about 1079, by William the Conqueror.

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
Grade 2 Listed Status

Macdonald Bear Hotel
Hotel in

Available on:

Historic Hotel

Year erected: 1200

Hempstead House Hotel & Restaurant
Country House in

Available on:

Historic Accommodation

Year erected: 1850

What is the history of the property?
It was the estate house for the surrounding farmland and was built and owned by the Lake family who have now emigrated to New Zealand but have provided a lot of history about the house and the family all of which is available at the hotel

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
Early Victorian

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
No but it is in the village of bapchild which is where the pilgrims baptised their chidlren on the pilgrimage from London to Dover

Has restoration work taken place?
Yes. We have extended the house over the years to provide 35 bedrooms, a 60 c0ver restaurant, a 150 seater function suite and a spa

Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
The old stable building which was built in 1845 is now a large entrance and bar. It contains the original breathing tower for the horses

Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?
The Lake family

Are there any significant events that took place at the property in the past?
No

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
No

Would you describe your property as (or has it ever been in the past) a:

✔ Farmhouse

Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify?
Beautiful original rooms with high celings and some original features

St Margarets Hotel
Bed & Breakfast in

Available on:

Historic Accommodation

What is the history of the property?
Between 1879 and 1886

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
Victorian Style Building

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
It is located opposite the main entrance to St Hugh's College, Oxford University.

Has restoration work taken place?
None that I am aware

Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
In the main staircase, there is a stained glass window depicting small birds. The front door and porch have stained glass as well. Each room has sash windows, high ceilings and dado and picture rails.

Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?
None that are known

Are there any significant events that took place at the property in the past?
None that are known

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
No

Would you describe your property as (or has it ever been in the past) a:

✔ Victorian Building

The Briarcroft
Guest House in

Available on:

Historic Accommodation

Year erected: 1890

What is the history of the property?
Built as a private residence, later it became a doctors surgery, and then flats.

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
victorian

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
situated on a street of mainly victorian properties

Has restoration work taken place?
no

Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
Unfortunately most of the best features were removed in the 1970s

Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?
no

Are there any significant events that took place at the property in the past?
no

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
no

Would you describe your property as (or has it ever been in the past) a:

✔ large family house

Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify?
no

Cascades Gardens
Bed & Breakfast in

Available on:

Historic Accommodation

Year erected: 1800

What is the history of the property?
The Cascades was a corn mill from 1800 alongside a limestone quarry and lead mine. The Bonsall brook runs through the grounds and onto Arkwrights textile mill in Cromford (1769).

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
Rebuilt as a charming Victorian house in 1894 it is surrounded by Cascades Gardens a 4 acre garden that is now open to the public. Garden developed from a limestone quarry, cliff and woodlands, with mill pond, mill race and waterfalls from 1800

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
Bonsall village has two 17th century pubs and many old cottages including a Jacobean manor house.

Has restoration work taken place?
The Cascades and many building in the village have been restored in the last 25 years

Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
servants quarters and old basement kitchens.

Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?
No

Are there any significant events that took place at the property in the past?
no

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
no

Would you describe your property as (or has it ever been in the past) a:

✔ Cornmill

Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify?
The waterfalls in the winter are spectacular.

Garden development inspired by Japanese gardens in Kyoto.

Duke Of Cornwall Hotel
Hotel in

Available on:

Historic Hotel

Year erected: 1863

What is the history of the property?
Victorian gothic style hotel build in 1863 presenting the highest class of the accommodation in Plymouth. Hotel survived 2 world wars and is the most iconic place to see and visit in Plymouth. It’s the oldest hotel standing in the area

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
Victorian gothic style era 18 century

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
Yes, situated close to Barbican old town and mayflower steps

Has restoration work taken place?
Yes major work was done in 1980 and other refurbishment has been carried on on regular basis to keep up with the demand and standards up to date

Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
Design of the building from outside and inside. Wall and ceiling features, iconic staircase

Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?
Titanic survivals
Charlie Chaplin
E. Shackleton

Are there any significant events that took place at the property in the past?
Titanic survival event
Major events during 2nd world war

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
Grate 2 heritage listed building

Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify?
The tower room with 360 degrees view all over the Plymouth city

The Windmill Family & Commercial Hotel
Hotel in

Available on:

Historic Hotel

What is the history of the property?
As it stands now, it dates back to the 18th century. It was formerly a coaching inn, court house and customs/excise office.

What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
Bricks and mortar.

Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
Yes. It is situated in the main market place.

Has restoration work taken place?
The property is currently being extended to improve the facilities.

Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
There is evidence of old rooms in the loft spaces.

Are there any significant events that took place at the property in the past?
The Lincolnshire Stuff Ball was an annual event here from 1785-1789.

Has the property received any certifications for its historical status?
There is a plaque outside to commemorate 'Thomas Paine' who was the excise officer here from 1764-1765.

Would you describe your property as (or has it ever been in the past) a:

✔ Court House

Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify?
The property is currently being extended to another grade 2 listed building, which will improve our facilities.

*Prices above are average nightly rates as provided by our partners for one room, double occupancy and might not include all taxes and fees. Please see our booking partners websites for full details.

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