Hotels and Inns with Connections to Famous Figures from History

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Follow in the footsteps of...

From kings and queens, to poets and philosophers, stay in the same places as famous (and infamous) figures from history. Our A to Z of names is the place to start if your interest is more person specific than simply geographical.

So sit back and discover hotels and inns visited by the likes of Austen and Antoinette, Hardy and Hemingway, Pepys and Proust.
Royal Oak Inn, Lake District
NEWEST ADDITION... The Royal Oak, Borrowdale.

We're always on the lookout for historic places to stay, and we honestly think this little gem in the heart of England's Lake District will appeal to those hoping to follow in the footsteps of one particular literary giant.

Indeed, surrounded as it is by truly stunning mountain scenery, The Royal Oak offers plenty of step-back-in-time appeal for more reasons than one.

Most Popular Destinations

Historic Hotels in London

Arguably the greatest metropolis on Earth, London is also home to some rather exceptional places to rest your head; both intimate and grand in stature.
Historic Hotels in Paris

To visit the City of Light and check in to somewhere that only celebrates modernity is missing the point of going in the first place. Well, we think so, anyway.
Historic Hotels in Rome

Its architectural antiquities are world famous, but The Eternal City can also boast some of Europe's most historic places to stay, too. You'll see what we mean.
Historic Hotels in Venice

A city so full of historic places to stay, there's almost an embarrassment of riches on offer in Venice. But amongst the "merely" old, there are plenty with extra special historic significance.
Historic Hotels in Edinburgh

If castle hotels are your passion then you'll find a fair number both around Edinburgh and in Scotland as a whole. But there's more than just medieval fortresses to be found north of Hadrian's Wall.
Historic Hotels in Yorkshire

The landscape of North Yorkshire attracts countless visitors every year, many seeking its wonderful step-back-in-time appeal. So, it would be a shame to visit only to stay somewhere bland, wouldn't it?

Other Splendid Things for the Discerning History Traveller...

Whether you're seeking somewhere romantic to stay in the Caribbean; fancy finding somewhere with period charm to sleep during a DIY battlefield tour; or just feel like having a drink in some of London's most heritage rich old pubs, our little Special Features section is designed for those who like to look for hotels and inns that are out of the ordinary.
Beautiful Villages of England

It's time to celebrate the small and indulge in some of the picturesque places that England possesses. Head out from the big cities and sprawling towns, and discover the historic villages that make it special.
Haunted Hotels in the UK

It matters not whether you believe or not, at least this little section has given us another opportunity to highlight some splendid British period accommodation where you can sojourn. Bump. In the night.
The Oldest Places to Stay in Europe

By no means a definitive list, but in the process of creating Nights in the Past we've come across some exceptionally old hotels and inns. As such, we thought we'd make a note of them as we went along. Here it is.
Pictures on this page: Henry VIII is taken from a painting by Hans Holbein the Younger which is to be found in the excellent Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.  The "most popular destinations" photographs are by Frederick Prochasson (Paris); S Borisov (Rome); KFJ Miller (Edinburgh); Nicola Avery (Yorkshire); Enzo Cositore (Venice); and Vichie81 (London). Meanwhile, the photograph for the beautiful villages section is of Helford in Cornwall and was taken by Nights in the Past itself. The "haunted" section is illustrated by Weston Manor in Oxfordshire, and the "oldest" section by the exceptional George of Stamford in Lincolnshire.