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From Times Online

January 27, 2007

Historic British places to stay

Battle Abbey is among several historic sites with plush rooms to rent, says Tom Chesshyre

Tom Chesshyre

For the first time later this year guests will be able to stay at a tiny cottage overlooking one of the most historic sites in Britain: the battlefield where King Harold fell to William the Conqueror in 1066.

English Heritage is offering stays at a small single-storey cottage with two bedrooms and views from its leaded glass windows, across a secluded garden, to the field where the Battle of Hastings took place.

The cottage is one of eight new properties on the grounds of famous sites that English Heritage is opening to the public this year — many of which were formerly occupied by members of staff responsible for maintenance.

Last year the conservation group released five similar places to stay, including the former Sergeant Major’s House on the grounds of Dover Castle in Kent and a cottage next to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. These proved such a success that they sold out the key summer dates within days.

A similar response is expected when the new properties go on the market on Monday at 8.30am. “We’re expecting a lot of interest, a lot of calls,” said a spokeswoman. “It’s the interest in history, of staying within the grounds of such famous places. When the public goes at the end of the day, it’s like you have them all to yourself.”

Guests at South Lodge at Battle Abbey in East Sussex have free access to the grounds and are within a short stroll of the Abbey, where it is believed the high altar is at the exact spot at which Harold fell to the Norman invaders. A week’s stay is from £565 or a three-night weekend break £305.

Other new properties include the Bowling Green Apartment within the grounds of Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight; the Greenhouse Apartment at Walmer Castle in Kent; Prior’s Lodge on the grounds of Mount Grace Priory in North Yorkshire; and The Retreat at North Leigh Roman Villa in Oxfordshire.

Properties sleep two to eight people and the least expensive is £455 a week — this includes The Retreat in Oxfordshire and the Custodian’s House in the grounds of Pendennis Castle in Falmouth, Cornwall.

Rob Parks, head of property development at English Heritage, says that there are plans to increase the number of properties from 13 to 50 by 2010. English Heritage is responsible for 400 historic sites across the UK, 120 of which are staffed, including Stonehenge, Whitby Abbey in Northum-bria and Tintagel Castle in Cornwall.

Parks said: “We are in negotiations to expand the number by about five or six properties in 2008 and then many more afterwards. All of our cottages are very comfortable. They have all been given five stars under the VisitBritain rating scheme.” Details: 0870 3331187, www.english-heritage.org.uk/holidaycottages.

Where to stay

On offer from English Heritage this summer: Mount Grace Priory, Yorkshire Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire Whitley Court, Worcestershire North Leigh Roman Villa, Oxfordshire Audley End House, Essex Walmer Castle, Kent (two properties) Dover Castle, Kent Battle Abbey, East Sussex Osborne House, Isle of Wight Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight St Mawes Castle, Cornwall

More options

Historic holidays National Trust Cottages (0870 4584422, www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk ) offers 350 cottages in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Landmark Trust (01628 825925, www.landmark trust.org.uk) has 184 old properties, including castles, forts and towers.

Vivat Trust (0845 0900194, www.vivat.org.uk ) is a charity that restores and rents out 20 historic and architecturally important properties.

Rural Retreats (01386 701177, www.ruralretreats.co.uk) offers some historic cottages.

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