Historic Shropshire Hotels: Catherine of Aragon Suite, The Lion

The Catherine of Aragon Suite
The Old House, 20 Dogpole, Shrewsbury SY1 1ES

The First Of Six. Luckily.

This unusual and remarkable accommodation is so called on account that Catherine of Aragon, 1st wife of Henry VIII, is reputed to have stayed here in the early 1500�s.

Indeed, Catherine is known to have had strong connections to the area and the former owners of the house (the Rocke family). Moreover, further evidence of a connection was uncovered during work on the property in the 1840�s when motifs of Catherine and Henry VIII�s Coat of Arms were found behind panelling.

The Lion Hotel
Wyle Cop Shrewsbury SY1 1UY

This Grade I listed building originally served as a coaching inn and dates back to the 1500�s.

Since opening its doors to guests, it has been patronised by the founder of the theory of evolution Charles Darwin, the violinist Paganini (who performed here in August 1833), Thomas de Quincey (author of Confessions of an English Opium Eater), Benjamin Disraeli and Charles Dickens on November 1st 1838

Indeed, some claim that part of Pickwick Papers was actually written here.

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.

Albright Hussey Manor Hotel. Nr SHREWSBURY. Extremely attractive Tudor country house amid several acres of private gardens. Expedia.co.uk | LateRooms

Feathers Hotel. LUDLOW. A certain contender for the title of most visually beautiful inn in the world, the oldest part of the hotel dates from 1619. LateRooms

Haughton Hall. SHIFNAL. Early eighteenth century country house in 35 acres of grounds. LateRooms

Madeley Court. Nr TELFORD. Four-star accommodation in a sixteenth century country house. Expedia.co.uk

Naughty Nell�s. SHIFNAL. Formerly known as �The Unicorn� this handsome 16th century inn is said to have once been the home of Nell Gwyn (and the site of her famous bedchamber). LateRooms

Old Rectory Hotel, The. WEM. A small, Georgian country house. LateRooms

Pen-y-Dyffryn. Nr OSWESTRY. Attractive Georgian residence on the border of Shropshire and Wales. LateRooms

Prince Rupert Classic Hotel. SHREWSBURY. Truly stunning part-12th century and part 15th-century building formerly the home of Price Rupert, grandson of King James .
Expedia.co.uk | LateRooms