Coaching Inns
 

A couple of questions about coaching inns. What are they really like to stay in -- is there anything to compare in US? Some of them look like they might just be a bar with rooms to rent.<BR><BR>And, can anyone recommend one somewhere in the area of Bath / Salisbury? (if there's a website available, that's even better...)<BR><BR>Thanks!

I'm not an expert on the issue, but my understanding is that a coaching is more or less just as you described. I'm not sure what you were looking for. My understanding is that coaching inns provided rest, board and refreshments for travelers back in the day of horse, foot and possible boat/barge travel. So, the first floor is likely a pub, with rooms for rent available. Stables were likely also available at one time (though they may no longer be standing or have been put to some other purpose).

We recently visited The George coaching inn in Lacock on the Mad Max tours out of Bath. Lacock is a national trust village and quite scenic. I believe the Abbey there was used for filming the Harry Potter movie(s). I believe rooms are available per this website: http://www.theaa.com/pubs/96739.html

I know its nowhere in the right location for you but arguably the finest coaching in England is "The George" at Stamford. Stamford stands on the old road from London to York & Edinburgh (indeed the A1(M) motorway bypasses it now). <BR>It is an absolutely stunning town of mellow stone buildings (mostly Georgian) which is full of churches and a decent market. It is often used for filming purposes (Middlemarch was filmed in entirety there) and whenever my ex-company had business people coming over from the US we made sure we'd put them up at least one night in The George in Stamford because they universally adored it and were far more amenable to us afterwards!<BR><BR>1 mile away is Burleigh House, one of the country's greatest stately homes and there is no doubt that this little corner of Lincolnshire/Cambridgeshire is right up there with the very very best of the Cotswolds or Bath.

We recently visited The George coaching inn in Lacock on the Mad Max tours out of Bath. Lacock is a national trust village and quite scenic. I believe the Abbey there was used for filming the Harry Potter movie(s). I believe rooms are available per this website: http://www.theaa.com/pubs/96739.html

Dave: I really enjoyed Stamford too. Even after living in the UK 5 years I had never made it there. A couple of years ago I rented a cottage on Rutland Water and spent a lot of time in Stamford. The Shakespeare theatre company is wonderful. Had dinner at the George one night. Visited Burghley, Rockingham, Belvior and Kirby Hall - all were great. I Plan on going back to spend more time in the area.