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The Oldest Hotels in the UK
Amberley Castle
The Royalist
During the creation of Nights In The Past we’ve come across many places to stay that are purported to be of an extraordinary age. Should you know of any old hotels, inns or other accommodation which applies to this section, please get in touch. It should be noted, however, that the list below reflects only a small proportion of the overall number of historic hotels listed on the site.
Inclusion in this Oldest Hotels in Britain section is based on there being some of the original structure still in existence rather than those places that have been entirely rebuilt. Naturally, in many cases this will apply to a relatively small section of the present-day building, though in some instances it applies to the majority. Please bear in mind that Nights In The Past can make no guarantees as to the veracity of the reputed age of any of the properties here or elsewhere on the site and cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies. The date information we supply has, however, been previously documented and is in the public domain either on the internet or in print.
It is important to stress that this isn’t a definitive list, and has been compiled from some of those we have encountered during research.
947AD. The Royalist. Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire. Site page
10th Century. The George of Stamford. Stamford, Lincolnshire. Site page
1135. Ye Olde Bell. Hurley, Berkshire. Information at Booking.com
1180. The Priory. Caerleon, South Wales. Information at LateRooms.com
1199. Shieldhill Castle. Biggar, Scotland.
Inclusion in this Oldest Hotels in Britain section is based on there being some of the original structure still in existence rather than those places that have been entirely rebuilt. Naturally, in many cases this will apply to a relatively small section of the present-
It is important to stress that this isn’t a definitive list, and has been compiled from some of those we have encountered during research.
947AD. The Royalist. Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire. Site page
10th Century. The George of Stamford. Stamford, Lincolnshire. Site page
1135. Ye Olde Bell. Hurley, Berkshire. Information at Booking.com
1180. The Priory. Caerleon, South Wales. Information at LateRooms.com
1199. Shieldhill Castle. Biggar, Scotland.
Other 12th Century
Walworth Castle (County Durham); Churston Court (Devon); The Saracen’s Head (Nottinghamshire); Chillingham Castle (Northumberland); Prince Rupert Classic (Shropshire); The Angel (Suffolk)
Other 13th Century
New Hall (West Midlands); The Bear of Hungerford (Berkshire); Rothley Court (Leicestershire); The Angel and Royal (Lincolnshire); Dalhousie Castle (near Edinburgh); Amberley Castle (West Sussex); The Maid’s Head (Norfolk)
Note: Argument persists about which is the oldest inn in England. One claimant is The Old Ferryboat in St. Ives, Cambridgeshire (details at Booking.com) which today offers accommodation. It is said that documents suggest liquor was being served on the site as early as 560AD, and that the foundations of the existing structure may be older still.
The George of Stamford
