Let’s take a step back in time to the past. We’ve got the scoop on some of the best historic hotels from
across the UK. From British inns to lavish manors, each property comes with its own unique story.
Best Western Plus Mosborough Hall Hotel
We begin our journey at a hotel that has ownership dating back as far as 1180. The Best Western Plus Mosborough Hall Hotel in South Yorkshire was originally owned by a High Sheriff of Yorkshire under the reign of Henry II, before being passed to various Lords of the Manor until 1420. The Hall was then won in a trial of arms at Smithfield. The victorious Knight, Robert Carey, was granted the Manor of Eckington and Mosborough.
The history of Mosborough Hall even includes some names that most will recognise such as Henry VIII, sisters Mary and Anne Boleyn, Queen Elizabeth I and Lord Hunsden. In 1671, owner Joseph Stone built a 110ft brewery house on the grounds of Mosborough Hall. It is thought that this was the start of the Stones Brewery of Sheffield, which was later known as Bass Brewery.
The hotel now offers modern sophisticated home-from-home accommodation. 46 en-suite rooms available, a superb on-site restaurant, serving delicious home-cooked cuisine and a bar for winding down after a long day. The Best Western Plus Mosborough Hall offers many different overnight packages, such as the Haunted Ghost Package, for those wanting a fright, or the Step into the Peaks package, for those wanting to get out and explore with a trek.
The Talbot
Secondly, we venture to The Talbot Inn in the picturesque village of Ripley in Surrey, one of England’s finest coaching inns. Dating back to 1453, this hotel has over 500 years of history behind its doors, including being a coaching inn for people commuting from London to Portsmouth and providing the stage for Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton’s love affair to blossom in 1798.
There is also a legend of a tunnel underneath The Talbot, which leads to the old Priory. Ruins of this can be seen from Newark Lane and it is said that the reason for the tunnel was due to The Dissolution of The Monasteries in 1546 when Roman Catholic monasteries, convents and priories were disbanded by King Henry VIII.
The Talbot Inn now boasts 43, stylishly decorated en-suite bedrooms, a contemporary restaurant overlooking the terrace and garden, serving timeless British dishes, and a cosy bar, with low ceilings and an open fire. Conveniently located within ten minutes of both Guildford and Woking, The Talbot provides a great alternative to traditional hotels.
Greenway Hotel & Spa
Taking its name from the pre-Roman path that runs alongside the hotel, the next place on our journey is the Greenway Hotel and Spa in Gloucestershire. This luxury Elizabethan manor house hotel and spa has a history dating back to the 16th century. The land upon which the Greenway stands was originally known as the Little Shurdington Estate and early records show that it belonged to the Lawrence family as early as 1521.
After a long history with the Lawrence family, the property was then sold on to Colonel Godfrey in 1854, bought in 1909 by The Venerable Archdeacon Sinclair of Hatherley and then sold to George Constable Hayes in 1919. The house was again sold in 1946 and opened as a hotel a year later. Bringing us to the modern day, this stunning property is part of the Eden Hotel Collection.
Now, the AA four red star, 21-bedroom hotel, with its warm Cotswold stone exterior, is the picture of English country charm. With individually designed en-suite rooms offering comfort, tea and coffee facilities, free Wifi, bathrobes and slippers, a high-quality stay is guaranteed. Try award-winning food at a choice of two restaurants, both offering modern British cuisine and a wide selection of world wines.
The Tankerville Arms
Next on our list is The Tankerville Arms in Northumberland, built by “Lord of the Manor” the Earl of Tankerville in the 1700s. The first Earl of Tankerville, Charles Bennet, built The Tankerville Arms to accommodate guests when their then-home, Chillingham Castle was full.
In 1827, The Tankerville was established as an excise office and by 1841, it became a posting house for the London to Edinburgh route, a journey that took 44 hours. Locals referred to it as ‘The Wooler Cottage’ for some time and had a brief period of being called ‘The Cottage’. However, the paperwork and legal name always remained under The Tankerville Arms.
Today the hotel is a stylish space, reflecting the plentiful, historic charm whilst still being up to date with all the modern requirements of today’s travellers. 17 cosy en-suite bedrooms offer tea and coffee facilities and free Wifi, with some being dog friendly to bring along your four-legged best friend. Using fresh, local produce, the hotel’s restaurant team work tirelessly to cater for all requirements, even having a locally famous Sunday roast.
Llechwen Hall Hotel
The final stop on our journey is to a 17th-century Welsh Long House with a story to tell. Dating back to 1720, Llechwen Hall started as a private mansion to the Thomas family. Passed through generations up to 1938, Llechwen Hall’s outbuilding, now known as “The Jailhouse”, was reported to be used as a stopover prison by the local magistrate.
During World War II the hall was repurposed as a successful school for many years, even after the war had come to an end. In the years running up to the hotel’s establishment, the hall had many other uses including a pub, nightclub and a local meet-up for the local Banger Racing Club, which used the surrounding fields as a place to race. The “pub” (at the time) soon became derelict until 1988 when the Hubber family and their partners bought Llechwen Hall, to restore and reopen in 1990.
Following the refurbishment and extension in 1998, the hotel changed hands a couple more times, until the most recent owners took over in 2008. Now transformed into a luxurious country house hotel, Llechwen Hall offers stunning views of the Welsh Valleys below, 20 elegant en-suite rooms, two fine dining restaurants with an extensive menu and a wide range of refreshments to suit any traveller.
Get in touch to book your next adventure at a period property:
📱 01775 843413
💻 reservations@infotel.co.uk