Couple set to reign at England's oldest inn'
The "oldest inn in England" the Royalist Hotel in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire has changed hands. The Royalist, which dates from 947, has been authenticated by The Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest inn in England. Jonathan Hill, associate director of Christie & Co's Bristol office, says evidence suggests that the building was originally part of a Saxon community as long ago as 514. Hill said the hotel was sold for an undisclosed figure from an asking price of £1.85m for the freehold. The Royalist was sold on behalf of Alan and Georgina Thompson to Peter Rowan, owner of the Ralegh's Cross Inn on Exmoor. "This unique and historic Grade II-listed building ranks among the top 4% of protected buildings in the country," he added. "The new owner intends to run to the Royalist in the same style as the outgoing owners, Australian chef Alan Thompson and his wife, Georgina. The new head chef is David Sargent, recently of Marco Pierre-White's Mirabelle Restaurant in west London. "Mr and Mrs Thompson purchased it about five years ago and developed the business from a fairly run-down outlet into a thriving 12-bedroom hotel." Hill said the property had "immense character and a fascinating history". "The Royalist Hotel was founded as a hospice to shelter lepers a leper hole can still be found in the oldest part of the cellar. "The last battle of the English Civil War in 1646 took place in the region of the inn, where many Royalists met their fate." The hotel comprises 12 letting bedrooms (four are used as staff accommodation), the 36-cover 947AD Restaurant, a residents' bar, an adjoining private dining/meeting room, the Eagle and Child Inn (70 covers), extensive catering kitchens, a two-bedroom staff flat and a manager's office.
