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Ye Olde Bell. Retford
The actual age of this old coaching inn is difficult to ascertain, but it is believed that it was originally a farmhouse with probable 16th century origins.
History-buffs will no doubt want to stay in the Victoria Suite – the very room in which the young Queen Victoria stayed in 1835 with her mother, the Duchess of Kent.
Offering 49 rooms in all, Ye Olde Bell is situated in the village of Barnby Moor, just a couple of miles up the North Road (A638) from Retford.
History-
Offering 49 rooms in all, Ye Olde Bell is situated in the village of Barnby Moor, just a couple of miles up the North Road (A638) from Retford.
The Saracen’s Head. Southwell
If a quarter of the historic connections this beautiful old building claims to have are true, it would be, without doubt, more worthy of historical acclaim than almost all of England’s stately homes to which visitors flock yearly. Indeed, the owners could very well charge and admission fee just so guests could walk the same ground upon which so many notable figures have trod over the years.
Admittedly, parts of the structure have been rebuilt - but that was in the 16th century. Indeed, some of the fabric of the inn is reputed to date back to the 12th; a fact that would make it one of the oldest places to stay anywhere in Britain. Later additions were made in 1818, and most recently during the 1970s.
Formerly called the King’s Arms, this historical gem is said to have accommodated a remarkable number of English monarchs. These include King John, Richard I, Richard II, Henry II, Edward I, Edward II, Edward III and Edward IV. It is, however, most famed for its links to Charles I.
It is said that he stayed here on two occasions. The first was in 1642 during which time the Royal Standard flew of Nottingham castle to signal the beginning of the English Civil War. Four years later on the 5th of May 1646 he returned at a time when Royalist troops were all be defeated. It is said that it was here he enjoyed his final hours of freedom before being taken prisoner.
Purists will no doubt want to stay in the Elizabethan wing - the oldest part of the property offering accommodation. Known as ‘Executive Rooms’ these include a four poster suite.
The small town of Southwell is located approximately 10 miles north east of Nottingham, and around 5 miles west of Newark.
For more information and secure online booking, visit The Saracen’s Head’s entry at Booking.com and Lastminute.com
Admittedly, parts of the structure have been rebuilt -
Formerly called the King’s Arms, this historical gem is said to have accommodated a remarkable number of English monarchs. These include King John, Richard I, Richard II, Henry II, Edward I, Edward II, Edward III and Edward IV. It is, however, most famed for its links to Charles I.
It is said that he stayed here on two occasions. The first was in 1642 during which time the Royal Standard flew of Nottingham castle to signal the beginning of the English Civil War. Four years later on the 5th of May 1646 he returned at a time when Royalist troops were all be defeated. It is said that it was here he enjoyed his final hours of freedom before being taken prisoner.
Purists will no doubt want to stay in the Elizabethan wing -
The small town of Southwell is located approximately 10 miles north east of Nottingham, and around 5 miles west of Newark.
For more information and secure online booking, visit The Saracen’s Head’s entry at Booking.com and
More Period Accommodation in Nottinghamshire
Gunthorpe
The Unicorn. Situated almost halfway between Nottingham and Newark upon Trent, this 17th century coaching inn has received some fine reviews from independent travellers. It offers a total of fourteen guest rooms and bed & breakfast accommodation. LateRooms
Holbeck
Browns. Award-winning bed & breakfast accommodation (adults only) within the tiny village of Holbeck, near Worksop. The building dates from the early 1700’s and offers only three guest rooms. LateRooms
Langar
Langar Hall. A small (and perfectly formed) country house hotel set in the Vale of Belvoir. Learn more and read reviews at Booking.com | LateRooms
Nottingham
Colwick Hall. Although Colwick is a true piece of Georgian architecture, the estate’s history goes back to the 1300’s. Alas, all traces of previous structures disappeared during the construction of the existing ‘Palladian’ house in 1775. Enthusiasts of poetry, though, will be far more interested to note that the property originally belonged to the family of Alfred Lord Byron. Furthermore, his childhood sweetheart, Mary Chaworth, whom he first met in 1798, eventually married the later owner of the estate, Jack Musters. Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Bestwood Lodge. Admittedly, the existing building dates from the late-Victorian and would therefore not normally qualify for inclusion. However, not only is Bestwood Lodge a splendid piece of architecture, but the estate itself boasts a colourful history as a royal hunting lodge dating back as far as the medieval period. Booking.com | Lastminute.com
Bestwood Lodge. Admittedly, the existing building dates from the late-
Ollerton
Thoresby Hall. Stunning 18th century mansion at the edge of Sherwood Forest. LateRooms | Thoresby Hall
Papplewick
Cockliffe Country House. Although 17th century in origin, you would be forgiven for thinking it of even greater age. Lastminute.com
Retford
West Retford Hotel. There may well be a number of contemporary rooms on offer here, but the history traveller and romantic will be more interested in the 250-year-old main building. West Retford is located close to Nottinghamshire’s border with South Yorkshire, and thus destinations such as Sheffield and Doncaster are within easy reach. Booking.com | LateRooms
Woodborough
Woodborough Hall Hotel. A fine Grade-II listed building many of whose rooms would not look at all out of place in a TV adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. Despite being surrounded by its own rural estate, Woodborough Hall is less than quarter of an hour from the centre of Nottingham itself. Booking.com | LateRooms
For more period accommodation try our sections on Historic Holiday Cottages and Beautiful English Villages
We sincerely hope to expand our section devoted to historic inns and hotels in Nottinghamshire soon. To help achieve this we would very much like to hear from anyone with information relating to period accommodation in or around Nottingham itself, or other notable towns such as Mansfield, Retford or Newark on Trent. We would be particularly delighted to learn of any old inns connected to Robin Hood, however remarkably unlikely that might be. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the site. Thank you.
Copyright. Nights In The Past 2007 -
Historic Hotels in Nottinghamshire
If you can’t find it below, see all Nottinghamshire hotels at LateRooms, Booking.com, Lastminute.com, Hotels.com
Thoresby Hall
The Saracen’s Head, Southwell
Woodborough Hall