Historic and Period Hotels in Surrey: Grayshott, Burford Bridge, Angel Posting House, more

Great Fosters. Egham.

This extraordinarily beautiful house (pictured above centre) certainly looks as if it should be the owner of a remarkable history. And indeed, it is.

Parts of the structure date back to 1550 when it was used as a hunting lodge by Henry VIII. Moreover, the coat of arms of Elizabeth I (dated 1598) suggest more than just a passing connection to his daughter - arguably England’s greatest monarch. The Anne Boleyn room also hints at a link to the ill-fated second wife of Henry VIII, and at one point in its history it is suggested that George III came here to be treated for his mental illness.

A member of the group Small Luxury Hotels of The World, Great Fosters offers rooms both within the main house, as well as further accommodation in ‘The Cloisters’ and ‘Coach House’.

Located only minutes from Heathrow Airport, this historic Surrey hotel provides a wonderful alternative for those seeking to visit London but stay outside the city itself. Further details, online rates and secure booking is available via Expedia | LateRooms | www.lastminute.com

Burford Bridge Hotel. Dorking

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

The epic poem Endymion is widely regarded as one of English literature’s finest. And its author, John Keats, completed the verse in November 1817 in a room overlooking the gardens at the Fox & Hounds in Mickleham, Surrey.

The scenery which inspired him, and the room in which he worked, still exist today. The name may have changed, but the romantic poet would still very much recognise the building and beautiful grounds of The Burford Bridge Hotel.

While parts of the structure date back to the 1500‘s, the first recorded hostelry was founded in the mid-thirteenth century. It wasn’t until the 1800‘s, however, that it became a popular escape for many of society’s notable figures. Robert Louis Stevenson is known to have been a visitor on numerous occasions, and both William Wordsworth and Jane Austen are known to have each stayed at least once. Queen Victoria was also a guest at the hotel as a young girl.

The most romantic connection, though, is that to Lord Nelson, as it was here that he spent his last night ashore with Lady Hamilton before leaving for Portsmouth and his death at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Those with an interest in architecture will also be interested to learn that the building incorporates beams taken from ships of the Spanish Armada.

Find out more about the Burford Bridge Hotel via Superbreak | TripAdvisor | Expedia | Hotels' Own Site | www.lastminute.com

The Angel Posting House and Livery. Guildford

Built in 1527 upon the site of Whitefriars Monastery, The Angel is a part timber-framed building located in the famous old High Street of Guildford. Indeed, evidence of its predecessor is still in existence today – the stone vaulted undercroft with remains of the original spiral staircase is said to date from the 14th century.

The name is related to its history as a stop-off point for those travelling on horse-drawn coaches or on horseback between London and Portsmouth. It is unsurprising, therefore, to find that the building has accommodated a fair few historic figures: Lord Nelson, Jane Austen, Lord Byron and Charles Dickens have all rested within its walls. TripAdvisor | Expedia

Grayshott Spa. Grayshott.

“Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.“

Originally known as Grayshott Farm, it was here that Alfred, Lord Tennyson, came to live in 1867.

Today the hotel has 47 acres of its own gardens and woodland, with around seven hundred acres of protected National Trust land lying just beyond. Find out more and book online with TripAdvisor

Mercure White Horse. Dorking

It is reputed that there was a building on the site of the current hotel as long ago as 1278 - this is rumoured to have had connections to the Knights Templar. However, the existing coaching inn dates from the mid 1700‘s.

It is said that Charles Dickens was an esteemed guest here, using the town and its people as inspiration for part of Pickwick Papers.

The Mercure White Horse offers a total of 78 en-suite rooms. More details can be found via LateRooms | Hotels' Own Site

Oatlands Park. Weybridge

The existing house (opened as a hotel in 1856) has played host to several notable figures of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Edward Lear, Emile Zola and Anthony Trollope among them. However, the site itself is one of great historic significance, having been where Henry VIII built a remarkable palace.

Accounts suggest that the original structure covered as much as 7 acres and would certainly have been an impressive sight - large courtyards, decorative gateways and imposing octagonal towers. Indeed, it has been suggested that it was in the long-gone chapel that Henry married his fifth wife, Katherine Howard.

Though this original building has sadly been lost forever, guests will still be able to tread the same grounds upon which many English monarchs are known to have done: Edward VI, Mary I, Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I are particularly worthy of note. Moreover, It was here that the Duke of York entertained the King of Prussia and Emperor of Russia follwing the victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

More details about this extraordinary place to stay can be found via LateRooms

More period and historic accommodation in Surrey

Dorking

Wotton House. Four-star accommodation at the family home of the famous diarist, John Evelyn. LateRooms | Superbreak

Hampton Court

The Carlton Mitre. Located opposite Hampton Court Palace, parts of the Carlton Mitre date back to 1665 when Charles II employed it as lodgings for royal guests. Four-star rated, it provides an option for those seeking not only to explore Surrey, but for visitors to London who wish to stay outside the city in more peaceful surroundings. www.lastminute.com

Haslemere

Lythe Hill Hotel & Spa. Part-Tudor, part-contemporary accommodation in the Surrey countryside. Expedia | Superbreak

Horley

Langshott Manor. Four-star accommodation in a magnificent timber-framed property dating from the 15th and 17th centuries. Expedia | LateRooms

Mickleham

Running Horses, The. A traditional sixteenth century village inn offering five en suite guest rooms. LateRooms

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