Angel & Royal Hotel, Grantham (Lincolnshire)

13th Coaching Inn. Built in 1203 in Grantham.

Summary 13th century buildings (or older) Breakfast included Free car parking (on site) No smoking Children welcome Facilities Free broadband access Children's cots Children's highchairs Television Sky Television Book library Luggage storage Food and Drinks Restaurant Continental breakfast (included) English breakfast (included) Lunch available (at additional cost) Dinner available (at additional cost) Bar

Nearby recreations Recommended walks Pub (walking distance) Pub (a short drive) Museums (walking distance) Historic houses Recommended restaurants (walking distance) Recommended restaurants (a short drive) Theatre (walking distance)

Introduction

Built circa 1203 Best Western Angel & Royal has been offering fine hospitality for centuries. Situated in the historic market town of Grantham it offers excellent transport links to both the north and south. The hotel has 29 rooms.

History to the present day

Widely regarded and fondly known as the oldest surviving English Inn, the main façade of the building that stands today was built approximately 600 years ago. The site then, however, had already been an Inn for 200 years, and was built as a hostel for the chivalrous Brotherhood of the Knights Templar. It was then that the beautifully carved building caught the eye of King John (“he of Magna Carta fame”) who decided it would make a suitable location for a visit of his Royal Court in 1213.

There then followed many royal visits, and the next appears to have been by Edward III and his Queen “Philippa” in the 14th Century. Evidence of this visit can still be seen today where over the original archway rests the gold emblem angel holding the King’s crown, which surmounted at the time as a tribute to this Royal Patronage.

The next recorded visit by royalty is possibly the most famous, for it was at the Angel in 1483 that Richard III held court in the Chambre de’ Roi or the King’s Room Restaurant as it is known today. For it was here in this room that he dispatched a letter to his Great Chancellor, bidding for the Great Seal to proclaim the treachery of his cousin, the Duke of Buckingham, whereupon his death warrant was duly signed. The original letter is now in the British Museum but copies are on display adjacent to the Richard III lounge and the King’s Room Restaurant.

Charles I made use of the King’s Room during his visit to the Inn in 1633 and his arch enemy Oliver Cromwell also stayed at the Angel after his successful battle near Grantham in 1643.

The King’s Room Restaurant is very much how it would have looked in those days with its stone walls and open fire. In the far left hand corner is a small spiral staircase that presumably led up to a lookout turret so that Royal and other dignitaries of the day could be sighted arriving in the town. In the room there are also three oriel windows with elaborate carved stone panelling, which is rarely seen today in a building of the Angel & Royal’s size.

The hotel's two bars, the Falcon and Angel, both have magnificent medieval fireplaces. The one in our famous Angel Bar ( “a renowned watering hole for many years”) was not discovered until 1947, when workmen removing plaster uncovered one small fireplace. That then followed on to another and another, which eventually led to the massive fireplace that can be seen today, measuring more than 9ft in width and 6ft in height. Within this impressive stone mantle, holes can clearly be seen today where the tools of the trade were used for grand Spit Roasts. Our ancient cellars and foundations are reputed to go back even further to the 9th Century, and are rumoured to be linked by tunnels to both St Wulframs Church and the Town’s Market Square.

Up until the middle of the 1800’s the hotel was still classed as an Inn, being fondly known simply as The Angel. Despite this fact, no less than seven kings of England and various other members of Royalty had already patronised the Inn, including George IV. It wasn’t, however, until 1866 and a visit to Grantham by the then Prince of Wales, which lent to the property getting the second part of its name. It was universally agreed that the visit by the eldest son of Queen Victoria and heir to the throne Edward VII should be commemorated by the incorporation of “Royal” in the Inn’s name.

Food and Drinks

Full English Breakfast Included. Berties Bistro situated on the ground floor this bustling bistro offers seasonal menus and specials board. Open daily, for full English cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Kings Restaurant has original oriel window features, it is in the oldest part of the building overlooking the current High Street. Menus here are more specialist and opening is limited to weekends. The Angel Bar is open Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings.

Other facilities

Free Wifi throughout the hotel. Free car parking. Residents lounge with newspapers. Flat screen TV for sporting events.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Melissa Watson, C/O Angel & Royal Hotel, High Street, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6PN, United Kingdom

Address: Best Western Angel and Royal, High Street, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6PN 

Check In:  2.00pm   Check Out: 11.00am

Directions: From the A1 follow signs to the town centre, from the High Street turn onto Finkin Street, then onto Elmer Street North, the car park is on the right opposite the hotel.

More photos of Angel & Royal Hotel, Grantham

Berties Bistro

Bistro Bar

Angel Bar