Robin Hood

If you’ve grown up on a diet of weekly television episodes of Robin Hood, books and movies on the adventures of Robin Hood and you love everything to do with the Legend of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, you can now follow the trail of this famous fugitive on your visit to Nottingham.

You can download a free Robin Hood audio trail podcast and a Robin Hood map, to help you get around the trail.

The trail helps you search for the man behind the legend and understand the character of Robin Hood. It takes in seven locations including Nottingham Castle, which would have once been the seat of the Sheriff of Nottingham, and Sherwood Forest - where visitors will want to see the “Major Oak”.

The trail also takes in some lesser known sites such as Newark Castle, Southwell Minster and Creswell Crags, where our much loved fugitive is reputed to have taken refuge in the series of caves. There is a visitor center at Creswell Crags as well as picturesque lakeside walks.

The MP3 audio tours are perfect for visitors who are on a touring itinerary of the Nottingham. The close proximity of the attractions, and a wealth of accommodation including cozy B&Bs, self-catering cottages and hotels, makes Nottinghamshire a great location for self-drive vacations year-round.

©Britainonview / Grant Pritchard

For added festivities, you can plan your vacation to coincide with the annual Robin Hood Festival, which takes place in July or August at Sherwood Forest Country Park.

Getting There:

Nottinghamshire is conveniently situated at the heart of the UK, with excellent air, rail and road links. The county is easily accessible by car, being in proximity of the M1, A1, A52 and A46. Speedy rail links run from Nottingham to much of the UK.

Nottinghamshire is served by two airports:

• East Midlands Airport: Nottingham, Leicester, Derby brings south Nottinghamshire within easy reach of Scotland, Ireland and the rest of Europe’s major cities, and
• Robin Hood Doncaster Airport is ideal for accessing the north of the county.

Get in the mood with Robin Hood books, DVDs, Robin Hood costumes and posters before you go.

Helen @ Robin Hood's Nest..

Robin Hood’s Bay was once a haunt of smugglers and legend has it that Robin Hood kept his boats here in case he needed to make a quick escape. Seeing the rocky shoreline and landscape, it’s easy to imagine why this is a conducive hideaway.

Robin Hood’s Bay is very popular with visitors who come here to enjoy the views, have picnics or just to have a relaxing time. There are two parts to the village, the upper section is flat and has more of a Victorian composition whereas the lower section resembles an older fishing village with quaint red-roofed cottages tightly perched on the side of the cliff. The narrow village road runs steeply down to the very edge of the rocky shore making the village off limits to motor vehicles, which is a good thing.

At the lower level, intriguing alleyways weave between tightly-packed cottages and houses and as you walk through the narrow cobbled streets you can almost visualize fishermen, sailors, smugglers and gangs roaming these very streets in days gone by.

We stopped at a pub and enjoyed a beer on the terrace with water views. It was very peaceful and how wonderful it is that there’s no loud music blaring. The village has many takeaways, pubs, restaurants, cafes and tea shops catering for the many visitors. There are also general stores and gift shops, a post office and a picnic area.

Robin Hood’s Bay is especially well known amongst walkers. The 190 miles walk from St. Bees in West Cumbria on the shores of the Irish Sea finishes here in Robin Hood’s Bay in North East Yorkshire. You can do the walk in either direction, but the Coast-to-Coast walk was designed by Alfred Wainwright to start from west to east to keep the prevailing wind and rain on walkers’ backs and the evening sun out of their eyes. Weaving its way from west coast to east, the route takes in the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors including Glaisdale, Egton Bridge and Grosmont, before finishing in Robin Hood’s Bay.

Robin Hood's Bay - Upper Level

Robin Hood’s Bay is a lovely place to end a hard walk as it has all the amenities that walkers need after a 190 mile walk. It’s certainly a place that I would like to return to and spend more time in.

If you’ve been tinkling with the idea of doing the Coast-to-Coast walk but are unsure of how to go about it or what to expect, you can get guidance by doing a course with someone who is a seasoned walker.

Getting there:

By Bus:

There is a regular bus service to and from Whitby and Scarborough.

By Car:

Robin Hood’s Bay is 8 miles south of Whitby off the A171. Follow signs for Robin Hood’s Bay from A171 road between Whitby and Scarborough.

Replica Endeavour and Whitby Abbey..

Mention Whitby and “holiday resort and fish and chips” come to mind. To the unsuspecting modern day traveller, Whitby presents as a sleepy Victorian holiday resort and fishing town.

But, Whitby has a long history as an industrial port and a shipbuilding town and is also home to a few famous residents. And, those with vivid imagination or a belief in the supernatural may see more when they look up the cliff at St. Mary’s Churchyard – was it a wolf, or a bat, or maybe Count Dracula himself!

Whitby is set among the fine stretches of the North Yorkshire coast with spectacular cliffs, beaches and bays. Arriving in town, the sights that make an immediate impression are the cliff-top ruins of the beautiful 13th century Whitby Abbey and its quaint harbour with two striking piers.

This traditional maritime town with its old cobbled streets and picturesque houses is popular as a short break destination. Some even come just to enjoy the fish and chips that Whitby is famous for.

Whitby and Captain James Cook

History buffs and those who were diligent in their history studies know that Whitby was where James Cook did his apprenticeship as a sailor and learned his craft from Whitby’s mariners. It was from Whitby that James Cook set sail in 1768 in the Endeavour and charted the coast of New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia. Two of the vessels he used on his long and perilous voyages – ‘Resolution’ and ‘Endeavour’ were built in Whitby.

Count Dracula and Whitby

Fishing trawler returning home, Whitby

Thanks to Dracula, Whitby is now famous the world over and millions have come to know about Whitby through three chapters of the novel set in this town.  Bram Stoker knew Whitby well, loved the place and was inspired by it.  You can have a Dracula experience by doing the Whitby Dracula Trail starting at the Dram Stoker Memorial Seat at the south end of Spion Kop, West Cliff.  For a guided walk, check with the Tourist Information Office.

There’s a range of things to see and do in Whitby, including the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, following the trails of Dracula, Victorian Jet Works, Pannett Park and Whitby Museum.

For those who enjoy active holidays, there’s mountain biking, sailing, cruising on the replica of the Endeavour, fishing, walking and much more in Whitby itself and the neighbouring bays and counties.  Whitby is also a good base for a driving holiday around the North Yorkshire coast.

Whitby is well serviced with many seafood restaurants, pubs and old world English tea rooms serving freshly baked pastries and Yorkshire teas.  This is the town where some say has the best fish and chips in England.

There’s a good selection of Guest Houses, Hotels, B&Bs, Farms and Camping and Caravanning in Whitby and along the Yorkshire Coast.

See our Hotel Choices for Whitby
Whitby driving holidays

The Magpie Cafe, Whitby..

You don’t have to look too hard for places to eat in Whitby. There are many cafés and restaurants in town and just along Pier Road there are three (Magpie Café, Terry’s Restaurant and Quayside) and on Baxtergate there are another three (Mill’s Café, Royal Fisheries and Tiffin).

Whitby in North Yorkshire is a holiday resort and a fishing town well known for its fish and chips and the most famous place in town appears to be the Magpie Café. The Magpie has always been popular with the locals, but it became famous when Rick Stein gave it the thumbs up as the best place in the country to eat fish and chips.

No matter whose photo you’re looking at and what year it was taken, there’s always a queue outside The Magpie.  That’s what happens when a famous restaurateur,  who himself is a fish and chips shop owner, tells the world that you’re the best.  People start queuing as early as 11:00 a.m. and if you’re on a time restriction as we were on this occasion, you’ll miss the chance of finding out for yourself if this is indeed the best fish and chips place in England.

Magpie Café History

The Magpie Café is housed in a black and white building which has a long association with Whitby’s fishing and the shipping industries. The building was constructed in 1750 as a Merchants House. A member of the Scoresby whaling family owned the building at some stage in its history and for a while it was the place where pilots would stand and await orders for vessels to be brought into the harbour. The building became the shipping office for Harrowings and was only converted into a café around 1939.

The Café overlooks Whitby harbour and from the dining room you get views of the harbour, Whitby Abbey and St. Mary’s Church.

The Magpie is a seafood restaurant but it does have some meat dishes as well as vegetarian specials. They also take care of people who are wheat or gluten intolerant.  I was impressed to see olives,  marinated anchovy fillets and ciabatta rolls on its menu, a sign that this typically English resort café takes note of food trends outside of Whitby.

Your intention in coming to the Magpie Café may be to have the fish and chips, but when you see its 14-page menu, decision making becomes tough. There’s a range of fish types which you can have fried, grilled or poached. Then there’s mussels (which always brings an halt to my menu review), fish pies, crab salad, lobster dishes or you can create your own special grilled or poached fish platter. It’s the biggest seafood menu I’ve ever seen, not to mention the extensive hot and cold desserts available.

Those planning a visit to Whitby and wishing to dine at this legendary café should arrive early and allow plenty of time as the kitchen gets really busy at peak season.  Opening hours are 11:30 to 21:00 daily.

If you’ve dined at the Magpie Café, did you have the fish and chips and is it the best in England?  We’d love to hear your opinion.

Getting there:

The Magpie Café
14 Pier Road
Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3PU
Tel: 01947 602058

West Pier Lighthouse, Whitby..

Whitby’s quaint harbour entrance is marked by two attractive pier lighthouses and two beacons, with the West Pier lighthouse being taller and more substantial than its neighbour.

And if you’re wondering why this sleepy fishing town has such huge piers and distinctive lighthouses, Whitby was an industrial port and shipbuilding town, as well as a whaling centre, in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Having the only natural harbour between the river Humber and the Tees, Whitby was one of the main trading ports on the east coast during the last century.

West Pier Lighthouse History

To boats entering the Port, the West Pier is on the right hand side. The West Pier lighthouse was built in 1831 of local sandstone, to a height of 73 feet, whereas the East Pier lighthouse was built in 1855 and is 55 feet high.

The West Pier Lighthouse has 81 steps, winding clockwise around a central column, leading to the ‘lantern’ room which is now dominated by modern electric lamps.  The lighthouse is operated manually and is used by local pilots to guide large ships through the pier heads.  The 500 ft extensions to these piers were built in 1914.

The West Pier lighthouse is open to the public during summer months.  On payment of a token fee (£1.00 when we were there), you can climb to the lantern room.  From up the top you have a fantastic view of Whitby harbour and the surrounding area and enjoy the company of seagulls gracefully gliding by.   Look down to the pier and see if you can spot the image of a whale skeleton that’s been moulded into the ground.

About Lighthouses

Many people may think of lighthouses as being surrounded by treacherous seas and menacing rocks which threaten to wreck unwary ships.  They can also well imagine what disasters have been avoided by the exact positioning of those lighthouses and, in the past, of the men struggling to maintain a light to warn of the dangers.

West and East Piers, Whitby..

In reality, the purpose of Whitby’s lighthouse, or any other lighthouse is the same – to guide shipping. Using the lighthouse and other landmarks, a ship can find its position and knowing this, be able to navigate around a hazard, or find the safety of a harbour.

To avoid any confusion over which route to take, they keep close to this pier, allowing other vessels on an outward journey to pass on their left. If like me, you can never remember which is starboard or port – on board, the right hand side is “Starboard” and represented by a green light.  Left is “Port” and shown using a red light.

Whitby’s Lighthouse History

Red and green lights on board ships were not introduced until the late 19th century when these lighthouses were built.  The lighthouses were designed so that port and starboard are also represented by the different tower heights.

Red beacon, Whitby Harbour..

Red and green lights are fixed to the painted towers situated at the end of each pier extension. The left beacon shows a green light and the right, red, so that from the sea, port and starboard are in their correct positions.

During this period shipping tended to follow the coast, making full use of coastal markers and if the need arose during rough weather, boats are able to take shelter.

See Travel Signposts Whitby Lighthouse pictures HERE.

Find your Whitby B&B, cottages and hotel choices HERE.

iTravel International

Are you a technophile or a technophobe? This depends on whether you are one of these people who carry your iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry, MP3s, laptop or whatever gadgets with you on holiday because you like or have a need to be connected to the world even on your vacation.

Whether you are a technophile or a technophobe, most travellers these days use at least some technology in planning their work or vacation trip and researching destinations. We use the internet to consult online forums and pre-book travel requirements such as hotels, tours, transfers, entertainment, etc.

Hi-Tech and Travel

The good news for technophiles is that the tourism industry in many countries has embraced this transition to technology and many are offering enhanced services to travellers such as destination downloadable maps, free downloadable audio-guides, etc.  We can now buy apps that will let us download all kinds of destination information like restaurants, entertainment, weather or stay in touch with news back home.

Britain is no exception. In fact, Britain’s tourism industry has gone Hi-Tech, from pre-travel planning through to the experience at the destination.

According to the British Tourism Authority, a recent study found that 62% of Twitter users travel abroad three times or more a year, and 60% use Twitter to connect with local suppliers, hoteliers or transport companies before they travel, with 28% reporting they made a reservation following an initial contact on Twitter.

Twitter has taken the travel industry by storm, with some travellers undertaking TwiTrips, whereby all decisions on where to sleep or eat or which bar to visit are taken based on tweet from followers (see www.guardian.co.uk/travel/series/twitrips-twitter-trips).   Although, there’s a proportion of people who do not like technology and many who scorn Twitter, so not all visitors to Britain will be taking TwiTrips!

Take-it-with-you Technology

Take-it-with-you technology such as free downloadable audio-guides and hi-tech hand-held devices means that the hi-tech tourism revolution has personalised the travel experience in Britain.

• Hearmanchester.com has downloadable audio trails based on locations alongside the Rochdale Canal (which runs through the city centre), with locations highlighted by signposts on the actual trail.  (www.hearmanchester.com/)
• VisitBrighton have an extensive selection of free podcasts, including the topics of history, film locations, arts & sculpture, ‘People who Made Brighton & Hove’ and a Gay & Lesbian History trail.  (www.visitbrighton.com/site/maps-guides-and-interactive/podcasts)
• The Spires & Steeples podcast offers a local look at the arts and heritage walking route from Lincoln to Metheringham.  (www.spiresandsteeples.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30&Itemid=34)
• Visitors to Rye in East Sussex can download a VisitRye app to their iPhone for maps, recommendations on restaurants, museums and other attractions.  (www.visitrye.co.uk/)
• VisitBritain have a service called mobiExplore, which allows users to view UK maps (street and tube maps), and access ‘What’s On’ guides, lists of local restaurants and hotels, weather reports and discount vouchers directly from their mobile phones.  (www.visitbritain.us/about-britain/image-and-sound-gallery/mobile.aspx)
• Visitors to Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales can download a ‘Discover Grassington’ micro-site guide onto their mobiles which contains information about the town, plus two local walks. A poster displayed in the window of the National Park Centre provides simple downloading instructions.  (www.grassington.uk.com/)
• Even arriving in Yorkshire is a high-tech experience, as welcome messages via Bluetooth technology are being sent to mobile phones as visitors cross the border into the region.

Looks like I have a lot of travel technology to catch up to before I hit the road again.

Apple iTunes Audio Guide
Great Guides to Help You Plan Your Travel Budget

English Pub Food

Have you ever wondered how some of your favourite foods came to be discovered or invented?

Here are ten interesting facts (or myths) about British food, some going back to Roman times:

1. It was the Romans who made oysters popular in Britain and were responsible for establishing their cultivation .  The rich waters of Camulodunum (Colchester today) are  ideal for cultivating the delicious Colchester oysters .
2. In Spring, you can trace the routes of the Roman Army through the south of England by following the white blossom on tall, wild cherry trees. Roman soldiers brought cherries from Italy and spat the pips out as they marched.
3. The world’s most eaten ‘convenience’ food, the humble sandwich was named after an English aristocrat.   The Earl of Sandwich had such a passion for gambling, that he didn’t want to have to stop playing – gambling addiction?  To ensure his game was not interrupted and to keep his hands clean for the cards, the Earl of Sandwich asked for meat to be put between two slices of bread.
4. King James I of England and VI of Scotland imported 10,000 mulberry trees to start a silk industry. Unfortunately, he ordered the wrong variety and the silk worms wouldn’t eat the leaves. The mulberry tree ‘berries,’ however, made excellent jam.


English Cream Teas

5. Crowdie, a soft, fresh milk cheese, also known as ‘gruth’ in Gaelic is the result of traditional methods dating back to Scotland’s Viking occupation. The first farm to flavor it with garlic only did so after their cows had escaped from their field, wandered into woods and ate wild garlic. The flavor that went into the milk was so good that garlic crowdie quickly became a favorite item.
6. ‘Bletted’ Medlars were a much loved after dinner treat in Victorian homes in November and December. The fruit was gathered from trees in September, laid in sawdust and kept until the flesh turned dark and soft, as they had to be ‘rotten to be ripe’.  I’ll give this one a miss!
7. It is not only Stilton cheese that is important to the people of the Heart of England. In 1734, the Mayor of Nottingham was bowled over with a 100 lb. wheel of cheese during a riot after stall-holders at an annual street market had increased cheese prices by more than a third.
8. The world’s first chocolate bar was made in Bristol in the late 1720s by Joseph Fry. His company was eventually taken over by Cadbury, another British, family owned firm.
9. Mint sauce became the ‘essential’ accompaniment to roast lamb in Britain thanks to Queen Elizabeth I. To stop her subjects eating lamb and mutton (and help the wool industry), she decreed that the meat could only be served with bitter herbs. Enterprising cooks discovered that mint made the meat taste better, not worse.
10. Ice cream was so popular in London in the 19th century that massive ‘ice wells’ were dug in the city. Ice was imported from America, and later from Norway to fill them.

Foods in England and Wales
Traditional English Food Specialities

Castle Howard, Yorkshire

London is home to Big Ben, Queen Elizabeth II is head of state and Shakespeare lived in Stratford-upon-Avon – these are some of the things that most people know about Britain whether they’ve been there or not.

But here is a selection of things that you may not know and apart from being interesting facts, they may help to make your England and Wales holidays even more enjoyable.

1. Staying in a historic building need not be expensive. A moated castle, a 16th century manor house, a Dominican friary and a watermill – these are just a few examples of YHA (www.yha.org.uk) hostels which can cost from £12 per person a night. Many have been newly restored:  the rambling, gothic manor-house at Ilam in Derbyshire resembles a set from a Victorian costume drama.
2. You can walk freely, off-road, in beautiful countryside. There are 130,000 miles of public footpaths in England and Wales alone. For serious hikers, there are 15 long-distance National Trails (www.nationaltrail.co.uk), the latest being the Cotswold Way (www.nationaltrail.co.uk) through the hills of the same name.
3. The British passion for gardening has influenced the world. The first botanic garden was established at Oxford in 1621 and Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown was busy landscaping the estates of the rich by 1751.  New, 21st century gardens are equally groundbreaking, such as the futuristic Eden Project (www.edenproject.com) with its massive bio-domes in Cornwall, and the National Botanic Garden of Wales (www.gardenofwales.org.uk) near Carmarthen.


Stratford-upon-Avon

4. Waterway holidays (www.drifters.co.uk) are a delightful way of seeing Britain. A self-drive narrow boat (no previous experience needed) is a comfortable base from which to explore the 200 year-old canal system at a leisurely pace. Did you know that Birmingham has more canal mileage than Venice!
5. Thousands of Brits open their gardens to visitors for a small fee (donated to charity) once a year, so if you are curious to see how they live – outside at least – scan the National Gardens Scheme’s (www.ngs.org.uk) ‘Yellow Book’ calendar for locations.
6. From Beatrix Potter to Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy to William Wordsworth – no country has more writers’ homes open to visitors. Nothing beats stepping into an author’s home to see what made them tick.
7. This was the northernmost outpost of the Roman Empire and, though Bath’s Roman Bath (www.romanbaths.co.uk) and Hadrian’s Wall (www.hadrians-wall.org) are renowned, there are gems in unlikely places. There’s a Roman gold mine (www.nationaltrust.org.uk) at Dolaucothi in Mid Wales – with tours of the underground workings. One mosaic-filled villa was only unearthed in 1949, at Lullingstone, Kent.


Lake Windermere, Lake District

8. You don’t have to go to the coast to take a cruise. There are regular sailings on Windermere (www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk), England’s largest lake. On the tranquil upper reaches of the Thames, summer sailings (www.salterssteamers.co.uk) head through ‘Wind in the Willows’ country from places like Windsor and Oxford.  We failed in coaxing the sun to come out for a sunnier photo, but nevertheless the scenery is beautiful and the cruise enjoyable.
9. With reputedly haunted buildings scattered throughout the country, it’s not surprising that ghost-themed walking tours are popular. If you love ghostly pursuits, you will find these tours entertaining, although they invariably make you look twice at shifting shadows. Locations include York, Bath, Lincoln and London. The local tourist offices have details of these.
10. Taking a look at the subjects of the country’s weird and wonderful museums, you’ll realise why Britons have a reputation for being eccentric. There’s the British Lawnmower Museum (www.lawnmowerworld.co.uk) (Southport), the Bakelite Museum (www.nothingtoseehere.net) (Williton, Somerset) and, for a nostalgic collection of packaging, venture to the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising (www.museumofbrands.com) in London’s Notting Hill.

Interesting Facts about London
Interesting Facts about Britain

Having just travelled to Bicester Village by train from London we can advise that the process is quite easy and straightforward.  The train networks in England are operated by different companies and Chiltern Railways operate services to Bicester North from London Marylebone Station.

The London Tube (Bakerloo Line) will get you to Marylebone Station.  The departure board in the station concourse will tell you which platform you need to go to.

Train fares to Bicester Village are not cheap.  An off-peak return fare currently costs GBP 23.50, although at times there may be other offers.  Chiltern Railways however have advance purchase cheap fares which cost GBP 5.00 each way.  These can be purchased online, but are available in limited numbers and valid only on certain journeys only, therefore it’s advisable to book early. You can choose to have your ticket details sent to your mobile phone, or emailed to you to print at home. 

When you arrive at Bicester North station, there is a taxi bus service that will take you to Bicester Village, a journey of about 8 minutes.  If you’ve purchased the cheap GBP 5.00 train fare, it does not cover the taxi bus trip.  The Chiltern Railway representative will direct you to purchase your taxi bus ticket which costs GBP 4.40 return.  If however you’ve purchased your Bicester Village Ticket from any staffed Chiltern Railways ticket office or Ticket Machine, your Taxi Bus travel is included within the all in one ticket.

The taxi bus runs every 15 minute between 0845 – 1700 from Bicester North station to Bicester Village, and between 0900 – 1930 from Bicester Village back to the station (up to 2030 on late closing days). The taxi bus takes 8 passengers each trip. 

Tip:  On your return trip, do allow some extra time as there may be many shoppers wanting to get back to Bicester North station and you may need to catch the next bus. 

The train journey to Bicester Village is about 45 minutes and is a smooth and comfortable ride. Overall the train journey and the taxi bus shuttle service at the other end are very well co-ordinated and make for an pleasant trip to Bicester Village.

Photos coming soon.

An Old English Inn

If you’re looking to give yourself time out from today’s hectic world and time for you, your family or friends to enjoy, a short break in the beautiful English countryside may do the trick.  And, what better way to have a really relaxing break than a stay in a traditional coaching inn or historic hotel in stunning locations, where you can enjoy real ales, traditional English food and hospitality.

At Old English Inns, you’ll find a unique selection of the finest historic inns and hotels England has to offer – old coaching inns, elegant country houses, timbered buildings and attractive town houses, each with its own special charm and each located in delightful surroundings.

Traditional coaching inns and historic hotels are full of character and are a part of England’s heritage – there’s no better base from which to explore England’s towns, countryside and coastline or to indulge yourself in a favourite hobby.

Whether you’re looking to explore England’s historic homes, visit stately gardens, visit the markets in country town, go on activity holidays like cycling and walking or for a seaside break, Old English Inns has inns and hotels:

• near historic houses
• near stately gardens
• around English country towns
• for cycling and walking breaks
• for seaside breaks

The people at Old English Inns are committed to bringing you the very best in historic accommodation along with excellent value for money – see their offers page for the latest exclusive deals available.

Many of Old English’s inns and hotels offer superb facilities to cater for weddings and conferences in beautiful, unique and inspiring surroundings. Whether you’re getting married or planning business meetings, their helpful and friendly booking team is on hand to offer help and advice.

About Old English Inns

Old English Inns have 50 inns set in picturesque locations and historic buildings in 28 counties, great for that perfect for a getaway holiday.

Based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk for over 200 years, Greene King, the name behind Old English Inns, has been brewing traditional English ales served in some of the finest inns and hotels in the country. It is this heritage which helps them to ensure that your stay is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.