The Black Swan
Helmsley, Yorkshire, England.
You don't have to be an enthusiast of rustic architectural history to stay at the Black Swan in Helmsley, but it certainly helps.
After all, in how many other places is it possible to encounter three different time periods in just a few steps - created from three houses, one third of the hotel is formed from an Elizabethan property of the late 16th century, while the rest spans the Georgian era (early 18th and early 19th centuries respectively). It is, as such, unsurprisingly Grade II listed.
However, for others the historic appeal of the place will lie in the fact that one of its famous former guests was the poet William Wordsworth, his sister Dorothy Wordsworth, and his wife Mary. Indeed, from Dorothy's journal it appears that they rested at the Black Swan on more than one occasion:
"...we stopped at the same inn where we had slept before. My heart danced at the sight of its cleanly outside, bright yellow walls, Casements over- shadowed with jasmine, and its low, double gavel-ended front. . . . Mary and I warmed ourselves at the kitchen fire. We then walked into the garden, and looked over a gate, up to the old ruin which stands at the top of the mount, and round about it the moats are grown up into soft green cradles, hollows surrounded with green grassy hillocks, and these are overshadowed by old trees, chiefly ashes. I prevailed upon William to go up with me to the ruins [of Helmsley Castle]".
One can only assume that they would still recognise the place, even if the 3 AA Rosette restaurant of today would provide something very different to the 19th century fare they would have experienced.
The hotel's "Classic Bedrooms" and "Superior Bedrooms" are located in the Garden Wing of the property, while those wishing to maximise the historic experience of their stay might prefer the "Feature Rooms" or Junior Suite, all of which are situated in the oldest parts of the hotel (including the Elizabethan section).
See the Historic Hotels in Yorkshire index
After all, in how many other places is it possible to encounter three different time periods in just a few steps - created from three houses, one third of the hotel is formed from an Elizabethan property of the late 16th century, while the rest spans the Georgian era (early 18th and early 19th centuries respectively). It is, as such, unsurprisingly Grade II listed.
However, for others the historic appeal of the place will lie in the fact that one of its famous former guests was the poet William Wordsworth, his sister Dorothy Wordsworth, and his wife Mary. Indeed, from Dorothy's journal it appears that they rested at the Black Swan on more than one occasion:
"...we stopped at the same inn where we had slept before. My heart danced at the sight of its cleanly outside, bright yellow walls, Casements over- shadowed with jasmine, and its low, double gavel-ended front. . . . Mary and I warmed ourselves at the kitchen fire. We then walked into the garden, and looked over a gate, up to the old ruin which stands at the top of the mount, and round about it the moats are grown up into soft green cradles, hollows surrounded with green grassy hillocks, and these are overshadowed by old trees, chiefly ashes. I prevailed upon William to go up with me to the ruins [of Helmsley Castle]".
One can only assume that they would still recognise the place, even if the 3 AA Rosette restaurant of today would provide something very different to the 19th century fare they would have experienced.
The hotel's "Classic Bedrooms" and "Superior Bedrooms" are located in the Garden Wing of the property, while those wishing to maximise the historic experience of their stay might prefer the "Feature Rooms" or Junior Suite, all of which are situated in the oldest parts of the hotel (including the Elizabethan section).
See the Historic Hotels in Yorkshire index
Online Booking and Reviews for The Black Swan, Helmsley
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The Black Swan Hotel
Market Place Helmsley North Yorkshire YO62 5BJ Reviews and Booking. Please note that nightsinthepast.com plays no part in the actual review, booking or reservation process for this or any other accommodation. Costs for maintaining and developing Nights in the Past are met solely by it being the last referring site to our partners which results in a completed reservation. |
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