We are traveling to England next spring and planning to do some genealogy research and some site seeing in the Nottinghamshire area, research will be in the area of Greasly/Watnall area. We would love to stay in a B&B or an inn that has the feel of an English cottage. Preferable in a country setting. Second choice is a stay in a castle. But I'm not sure that there is any those types of castle in the area though. Does any one have recommendations for B&B's or Castle's ?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
388 posts
Rick doesn't cover this area much in his guidebooks because central England doesn't usually have the great historical or cultural places as does other cities in England. With that said, there isn't much in the way of castle stays, but there may still be some country homes to look into. Try looking on www.historic-uk,com. There may be some decent suggestions to look into there. I hope this helps some.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32702 posts
Sarah
You will be not far from Nottingham for your research, northwest of the city in the same general area as the big Ikea.
If you want to be based a bit further away you could be in a character property in Derbyshire, perhaps over towards The Peaks, an area of outstanding beauty, not often visited by Rick Stevers.
The National Trust has beautiful and historic properties and land all over the country. Quite a few of the properties have old buildings on the grounds and many of those have been converted to holiday cottages - over 400 across the country.
The website is http://www.nationaltrustholidays.org.uk/
Many of the places are really unique, like cottages in old lighthouses, at coast guard facilities, in a wing of or on the grounds of famous stately homes. Just reading the catalog or browsing the website is inspiring.
Nottinghamshire is a bit thin on the ground for National Trust cottages, but nearby Derbyshire has several including a gatehouse at Kedleston Hall, and Lincolnshire has quite a few very interesting places, including a house right in the centre of Lincoln.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
"Rick doesn't cover this area much in his guidebooks because central England doesn't usually have the great historical or cultural places as does other cities in England."
My flabber has never been so gasted ... looks like the 'plan' to keep the tourists away and preserve the treasures for the locals is working too well.
There is the Willersley Castle Hotel near Matlock. Not immediately in your area but not a million miles away either. It is only Georgian though so more of an historic house really and seems a bit shabby chic.