Two new members for Great Inns of Britain

With the addition of two new members taking the total membership to 21, The Great Inns of Britain family has come of age. Castle House Hotel, an elegant Georgian townhouse in Hereford, and Barnsdale Lodge Hotel, a former farm house in Rutland, join a collection that includes some of the most characterful, stylish and historic Inns in the country.

Membership to Great Inns of Britain is by invitation only from the existing members, and the collection was first brought together eleven years ago by Paul Whittome, owner of The Hoste Arms at Burnham Market in Norfolk, and Sir Thomas Ingilby, owner of The Boar’s Head in Ripley, North Yorkshire.
Sir Thomas Ingilby, Chair of the Great Inns of Britain, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Castle House Hotel and Barnsdale Lodge Hotel to the Great Inns of Britain. Whilst different in many ways to the existing Inns in this collection, these two fabulous properties offer the essential characteristics of the group – historic, stylish interiors, first class food and excellent wines at honest prices, and above all a warm welcome. That is the magic of the Great Inns of Britain - they all have an individual character which endures in a most fantastic way.”

Castle House Hotel is a beautifully restored Grade II listed Georgian townhouse situated near the ancient cathedral in the heart of historic Hertford.

Guests can choose from 10 suites with antique furnishings, a deluxe double and four single rooms. Each suite represents a chapter in the ancient history of Hereford – the Nell Gwynne suite celebrates the Hereford actress who caught the eye of King Charles II, while the Cavalier Suite recalls Hereford’s support for the Royalist cause in the Civil War.

Castle House Hotel has won numerous accolades, including Accessible Hotel of the Year Award (2003/4): the ground floor Cavalier Suite is ideal for guests with mobility difficulties, with ramp access, grab rails, a walk-in shower and French windows opening directly onto the garden. Guests can sample fine food and excellent wines in the award-winning Castle House Restaurant and on warmer days on The Terrace, which is set amidst the private gardens. Overlooking the old Hereford Castle moat, the garden provides a relaxing sanctuary. And the formal boarders and contemporary plantings are in perfect harmony with the Georgian townhouse.

The second newcomer to the Great Inns of Britain, Barnsdale Lodge Hotel, has been in Thomas Noel's family since 1760, and formed part of the adjoining Exton Park, seat of the Earls of Gainsborough. This former 17th century farmhouse has been lovingly converted into an idyllic retreat with a fantastic position overlooking the North shore of Rutland Water. Set in the heart of the beautiful, unspoilt county of Rutland - the smallest county in England - it is less than an hour by train from London and only a few minutes from the historic towns of Oakham and Stamford.

There are 44 en-suite and uniquely furnished bedrooms, which offer fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the picturesque courtyard. Rooms echo the historic character and charm of the hotel while offering essential mod-cons and White Company toiletries in the en-suite bathrooms. A number of larger bedrooms have been specially designed for families and two rooms on the ground floor specifically cater for guests with mobility needs.

Just down the avenue from Barnsdale Lodge are the famous Barnsdale Gardens which were created by the late Geoff Hamilton. And the internationally renowned Rutland Water is nearby - this attractive 3,100 acre reservoir offers something for everyone, including cycling, sailing, windsurfing, fishing, rock climbing, canoeing, golf or a visit the nature reserve and bird sanctuary.

For more information, log on to GreatInns.co.uk.