The Royal Clarence
Exeter, Devon, England.
* DAMAGED BY FIRE, OCTOBER 2016 *
The Royal Clarence may well possess interior design of a more contemporary nature these days but, make no mistake, this venerable old building is very historic indeed.
Whether or not the suggestion that it was the first de facto hotel in England is true (and there are many other places which would contest such a claim), the present building dates back to the mid 1700's when it was constructed as the city's Assembly Rooms. Indeed, it has even been said that the existing hotel is located on the site of Sir Walter Raleigh's father's house.
What we can be certain of, however, is that during its time it has welcomed some extremely notable historic figures. Lord Nelson stayed during the time it was known as "Phillip's Hotel" while receiving the freedom of the city in 1801, while the name itself refers to a visit by the Duchess of Clarence (later Queen Adelaide) in 1827.
It is also known that Franz Liszt performed piano recitals at the Royal Clarence in August 1840, and a blue plaque unveiled by the Exeter Civic Society in 2013 commemorates this event. Enthusiasts of Thomas Hardy may also be interested to know that the author stayed at the hotel with his second wife in June of 1915, while the poet Alfred Lord Tennyson is also reputed to have passed through its doors. And also worthy of mention is that the likes of Clark Gable and Gary Cooper slept at the hotel while stationed locally with the US Air Force.
Abode Exeter features 53 guest bedrooms in all, many with views of the magnificent medieval cathedral, while dining options are available at Michael Caine's restaurant and the adjacent Well House Tavern.
See the Historic Hotels in Devon index
The Royal Clarence may well possess interior design of a more contemporary nature these days but, make no mistake, this venerable old building is very historic indeed.
Whether or not the suggestion that it was the first de facto hotel in England is true (and there are many other places which would contest such a claim), the present building dates back to the mid 1700's when it was constructed as the city's Assembly Rooms. Indeed, it has even been said that the existing hotel is located on the site of Sir Walter Raleigh's father's house.
What we can be certain of, however, is that during its time it has welcomed some extremely notable historic figures. Lord Nelson stayed during the time it was known as "Phillip's Hotel" while receiving the freedom of the city in 1801, while the name itself refers to a visit by the Duchess of Clarence (later Queen Adelaide) in 1827.
It is also known that Franz Liszt performed piano recitals at the Royal Clarence in August 1840, and a blue plaque unveiled by the Exeter Civic Society in 2013 commemorates this event. Enthusiasts of Thomas Hardy may also be interested to know that the author stayed at the hotel with his second wife in June of 1915, while the poet Alfred Lord Tennyson is also reputed to have passed through its doors. And also worthy of mention is that the likes of Clark Gable and Gary Cooper slept at the hotel while stationed locally with the US Air Force.
Abode Exeter features 53 guest bedrooms in all, many with views of the magnificent medieval cathedral, while dining options are available at Michael Caine's restaurant and the adjacent Well House Tavern.
See the Historic Hotels in Devon index
Online Booking and Reviews for The Royal Clarence Hotel, Exeter
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The Royal Clarence (Abode Exeter)
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