The Web’s Premiere Guide to Historic Hotels and Accommodation in the UK, France, Italy and Western Europe
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The Mermaid. Rye
Undeniably one of the most iconic old inns of England, The Mermaid really is as ancient as it appears.
The structure one sees today is largely from 1420, but its foundations are thought to be those of a mid-13 th century building – the vaulted cellars, cut from the bedrock, are all that remain of the old inn which was razed to the ground during a French raid on the town in 1377.
While widely thought to have been a favoured meeting place of the Hawkhurst gang of smugglers during the mid-1700’s, it later welcomed some of the 20 th century’s most notable cultural icons: Charlie Chaplin, Ellen Terry and Rupert Brooke among them. And numerous other stars of stage and screen have stayed here since.
The structure one sees today is largely from 1420, but its foundations are thought to be those of a mid-
While widely thought to have been a favoured meeting place of the Hawkhurst gang of smugglers during the mid-
The George. Rye
Pinning down the exact age of this Grade-II listed building is difficult, mainly on account that different parts of the structure date from different periods – the 15 th, 17th and 19th centuries are all represented here.
With a long and distinguished history of providing hospitality to travellers, it is no surprise that several historic figures have stayed here – several kings of the same name and the Duke of Wellington among them.
With a long and distinguished history of providing hospitality to travellers, it is no surprise that several historic figures have stayed here – several kings of the same name and the Duke of Wellington among them.
Buxted Park. Uckfield
Although the present house was constructed in 1722, the history of Buxted Park dates back some 900 years.
Once owned by the Medley family – once keepers of the Privy Purse for King Henry VIII – Buxted is situated in more than three hundred acres of grounds, despite being a mere half hour from Gatwick airport.
Mind, there were no jet aircraft in existence when George V and Queen Mary were entertained by former owner Basil Ionides – famed designer of London’s Savoy Hotel. And the great & good were often to be found in residence well before then – romantic poet William Wordsworth is also said to have stayed at Buxted Park.
As an aside, film fans will no doubt be interested to learn that Marlon Brando also stayed at the hotel.
More details available at Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Lastminute.com
Once owned by the Medley family – once keepers of the Privy Purse for King Henry VIII – Buxted is situated in more than three hundred acres of grounds, despite being a mere half hour from Gatwick airport.
Mind, there were no jet aircraft in existence when George V and Queen Mary were entertained by former owner Basil Ionides – famed designer of London’s Savoy Hotel. And the great & good were often to be found in residence well before then – romantic poet William Wordsworth is also said to have stayed at Buxted Park.
As an aside, film fans will no doubt be interested to learn that Marlon Brando also stayed at the hotel.
More details available at Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Lastminute.com
The Grand. Eastbourne
Most Victorian hotels can claim to have been visited by some famous figure or another, but one or two actually play a role in history rather than merely accommodate: Eastbourne’s Grand Hotel is one of those.
Built in 1875, this five-star hotel, affectionately known locally as ‘The White Palace’ has been visited by such figures as Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill and Sir Edward Elgar. However, its greatest historic claim-to-fame is that Claude Debussy completed one of music’s greatest symphonies La Mer during his stay in 1905.
To check availability and read reviews, see Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Lastminute.com
Built in 1875, this five-
To check availability and read reviews, see Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Lastminute.com
The Old Ship. Brighton
Undoubtedly Brighton’s oldest hotel, The Old Ship dates back to 1559 - the year of the coronation of Elizabeth. The frontage one sees today, however, is far more recent (late 1800‘s onward).
Famous guests include Lord Byron, Charles Dickens (who is said to have written part of Barnaby Rudge here), Paganini, and Winston Churchill. William Makepeace Thackeray also makes mention of The Old Ship in Vanity Fair. Old Ship Website | Lastminute.com
Famous guests include Lord Byron, Charles Dickens (who is said to have written part of Barnaby Rudge here), Paganini, and Winston Churchill. William Makepeace Thackeray also makes mention of The Old Ship in Vanity Fair.
More Period Accommodation in East Sussex
Alfriston
Star Inn, The. A fourteenth century inn said to have once been a favoured haunt of notorious smugglers. Booking.com | LateRooms
Battle
Powdermills Country House Hotel, The. Amid hundreds of acres of private grounds, the building owes its name to its previous incarnation as a gunpowder works - said to have produced the finest explosive during the Napoleonic Wars. The hotel is located close to the famous battleground of 1066. Booking.com | Lastminute.com
Eastbourne
Ocklynge Manor. At the time of writing, Ocklynge Manor must surely rank as one of the best bed & breakfasts anywhere in Britain. An escape to the past it most certainly is, and enthusiasts of the artist Mabel Lucie Atwell will no doubt be interested to learn of it having once been her home. LateRooms
Hastings
Swan House. If you’re looking for a beautiful old 15th century building offering highly rated bed & breakfast accommodation in Hastings, this is almost certainly it. Booking.com
Forest Row
Roebuck, The. A 17th century country house hotel set amid attractive countryside. Practical details and reviews can be found through Booking.com | Lastminute.com
Lewes
Pelham House. A 32-room, 16th century townhouse offering four-star accommodation. Booking.com | LateRooms
Rye
The Hope Anchor. This 18th century building has a couple of little historic claims-to-fame. First, it was reputedly used by the notorious ‘Tenterden Gang’ of smugglers, and, secondly, that the children’s author Malcolm Saville used it as inspiration in his books in which it is called The Gay Dolphin. Booking.com
Sedlescombe
Uckfield
Chequers Maresfield. Located in Maresfiled Village on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, the Chequers was built in 1734. Booking.com | LateRooms
Winchelsea
Strand House. Formed from two buildings (one dating from the 15th century and one from the 13th) Strand House is certainly one of the oldest buildings in an area full of period properties. The house also featured in a painting by JMW Turner. Booking.com
For more period accommodation try our sections on Historic Holiday Cottages and Beautiful English Villages
Historic buildings possess a charm their contemporary counterparts are unable to replicate or equal. This site champions those period houses -
Copyright. Nights In The Past 2007 - 2011
Historic Hotels in East Sussex
If you can’t find it below, see all East Sussex hotels at LateRooms, Booking.com, Lastminute.com, Hotels.com
Buxted Park
The Old Ship, Brighton
The Brickwall Hotel
