Historic Gloucestershire Hotels: Royalist, Fleece, Manor House

The Royalist
Digbeth Street, Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1BN

A Millennium of Stories

Anywhere with structural timbers over 1000 years old is bound to have more than its fair share of tales to tell. Dating back to 947 AD, The Royalist has many curious features befitting such an ancient building: �witch marks� above the fireplace to ward off evil spirits, a medieval frieze, and even a leper pit in the oldest part of the cellars.

Its name, however, is linked to the English Civil War, when the building was used as headquarters of the Royalist army prior to the Battle of Stow in 1646 - a battle they would lose at great cost.

The Manor House
High St, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0LJ

Built to last.

Attempt to conjure up a mental image of the archetypal Cotswold country house and the result would no doubt bear more than a passing resemblance to The Manor House Hotel - a honey-coloured stone building amid well-tended gardens and ancient oaks.

Although the existing house is of considerable age (it was built in 1545), its predecessor was, in fact, granted to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster by King Henry VIII six years earlier in 1539. It�s most notable historic claim, however, is its playing host to the future King George VI during World War II.

The Fleece Hotel
Market Place, Cirencester GL7 2NZ

The Monarch�s Hideaway

Located in the centre of Cirencester - once the second largest Roman town in England - the Fleece Hotel�s historic claim-to-fame is immortalised in the name of it�s �1651 Bar & Restaurant�. It was here in September of that year the future King Charles II hid from Parliamentarian troops eager to capture him for the �1000 price which had been placed on his head. Posing as Jane Lane�s manservant, he remained undetected before fleeing the country for France.

The New Inn
16 Northgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1SF

The Nine Days� Queen

This, the UK�s oldest surviving galleried inn, was originally built as a Pilgrims Inn to house visitors to the shrine of King Edward II in St Peters Abbey. However, the building fell into disrepair and was subsequently reconstructed in 1455 (hence the title �The New Inn�).

Its main historic significance, however, is that it was while staying at The New Inn in 1553 that Lady Jane Grey was pronounced Queen - a title she would hold for a mere nine days.

Wesley House
High Street, Winchcombe GL54 5LJ

Dear John.

An old, traditional building in a quintessential small cotswold town, Wesley House surprises with a contemporary feel to its bar and grill. The accommodation, however, is more in keeping with its exterior image, especially the twin-bed �Preacher�s Room� in which John Wesley - the founder of Methodism - stayed in 1755 and 1779.

Avoid the new... The following may not necessarily be linked to famous figures or events, but all offer accommodation in historic surroundings. Click on the links for further tariff and availability information.

Best Western Stratton House. Nr CIRENCESTER. Seventeenth century manor offering 39 en-suite guest rooms.

Bibury Court. BIBURY. Beautiful country house hotel dating from the early 17th century. Bibury Court is located on the edge of what artist William Morris described as �the most beautiful village in England�. Expedia.co.uk | LateRooms

Buckland Manor. Nr BROADWAY. A truly stunning 13th century property set amid ten acres of superb gardens. Expedia.co.uk

Charingworth Manor. CHIPPING CAMDEN. A magnificent medieval manor (14th century) which inspired T S Eliot. Expedia.co.uk | LateRooms | Hotelshop

Cross Hands, The. CHPPING SODBURY. Queen Elizabeth II sought refuge here during a blizzard in 1981. The building itself - formerly a posting house - dates back as far as the 14th century. Expedia.co.uk

Crown Inn, The. BLOCKLEY. A quintessential 16th century Cotswold inn. Expedia.co.uk

Grapevine, The. A 17th century hotel in one of England�s most historic towns. LateRooms

Hatton Court. Nr GLOUCESTER. Former private home now offering 45 en-suite rooms. Expedia.co.uk

Hotel de la Bere. CHELTENHAM. Superb 500-year-old manor boasting 57 en-suite guest rooms. Expedia.co.uk | Hotelshop

Lower Slaughter Manor. Nr BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER. Exquisite seventeenth century manor house occupying a site dating back to the Norman conquest. Expedia.co.uk | LateRooms

Stonehouse Court. STONEHOUSE. Dating back to 1601, Stonehouse Court is an elegant manor which offers 36 en suite guest rooms. Hotelshop

Tudor House Hotel. TEWKESBURY. Founded by the Pilgrim Fathers in 1540. Expedia.co.uk

Washbourne Court. Nr BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER. Seventeenth century property that was formerly a set of farm workers cottages and a �cramming school� for Eton. Expedia.co.uk

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