The History of our Hotel
A History of Ye Olde Bell Hotel
The Past
The Present
Do you have any great stories or memories about Ye Olde Bell Hotel?
The Past
Ye Olde Bell began its life as far back as the 16th century, if not before, as a farm. The first recollection of the Bell was from a Ralph Thoresby who was returning home to London on horseback after a sight seeing trip to Newark. Fortunately for the Bell Mr Thoresby became lost whilst searching for a drunken companion, and consequently stayed the night to “rest his tired limbs”. This is the first acknowledgement of the Bell that we have been able to find.
Stagecoaches and Highwaymen
The hotel rose to fame and fortune in the days of the stagecoaches and highwaymen, Dick Turpin probably being the most famous, but despite popular belief he didn’t actually stay at the Bell.
By the 19th century the Bell (known as the Blue) was already a “famous baiting place for the stages that passed between London and York”. Its landlord at this busy time was a Mr George Clarke who was an avid horse breeder and farmer, so with stabling for 120 horses and beds for 60 post boys, it gave him ample opportunity to rear and sell his own bloodstock. In addition to the above, bedrooms were provided for the weary travellers.
Some of the old stabling still exists to the right of the main building. Not only did Mr Clarke stable at the Bell but also at a much smaller hostelry a little farther down into the village known as the White Horse. During Mr Clarke’s ownership the young Queen Victoria stayed with her mother, the Duchess of Kent, in what is now named the “Victoria Suite” while journeying along the Great North Road from London to the music festival at York in 1835. Mr Clarke stayed at the Bell from 1800 to 1842 whereupon he died of gout!
The Great North Road
The first stagecoaches started running between London and Edinburgh in 1635 when King Charles 1 inaugurated the postal service which, in the beginning, took six days in total. In the days of Mr Palmer (Controller of the Post Office 1784) a greater speed was attained because of the improvements of the road by Telford and Macadam, but by this time the railways had arrived and cut the time and road users down dramatically.
Our next interlude takes us to when the hotel was owned by a Mr Henry Beever, who turned it into a private house for his own use. The archway leading to the courtyard where travellers disembarked for a short rest while on their journeys was converted into a reception room and can still be seen today if you look to the ceiling just outside the restaurant. The horse pond which formerly stood in front of the Bell has been filled in for many years and the car park now marks the spot where the ablutions of the coach and horses were once performed. As the village did not have a church at this time a chapel was formed out of part of the Bell and was approached by a flight of stone steps, which were outside the building. In recent years this has been transformed into bedrooms with the centre aisle being the corridor between rooms 5 – 17.
In 1905 The Bell was owned by a Mr P Grain of London. He bought the house in 1904, whereupon he proceeded to turn the house back into a Hotel. Unfortunately his application for a liquor licence was turned down. After a long battle with the owners of the White Horse the licence was turned down a second time due to local opposition.
The Age of the Automobile
Next came the age of the automobile and with it the customers. At this time a Mr Deny Dundas resided as the manager of the now re-named Ye Olde Bell Hotel. Mr Dundas was a member of the newly formed road club, which stayed at the Bell on April 13th while on tour of the local area.
The hotel also held the official appointment of the Royal Automobile Association and at the time there was an inspection pit for all the cars to be tuned up before setting off on the open road. This particular day, lined up outside the hotel, were classic cars such as Minervas, Argyles, Daimlers and Renaults.
Mr Williamson owner of the Bell in 1917 decided to once again close down the hotel to the general public for a short time. It was during the First World War when petrol restrictions hit the motorist and of course most gentlemen were away fighting. The photographs displayed in the hotel were taken around this period.
Ye Olde Bell hits the Silver Screen
On the night of 23rd September 1932 film stars engulfed the hotel to shoot certain scenes for a Gaumont film called “The Good Companions” written by J B Priestley. The film is about Jesse Ackroyd, a run-away husband who goes in search of fame and fortune in the south and starred Henry Ainsley, Heather Thatcher, Wallace Everett and Jesse Matthews.
The 1950’s and the Racing Connection
This brings us up to 1953 and Leger Week at Doncaster Racecourse. The particular day nearly saw the end of the Bell; it was the day of the fire! The first and second wings of the hotel were destroyed, a total of 30 bedrooms. A member of staff raised the alarm and five fire brigades fought the fire. The flames were fanned by a strong breeze, but the firemen managed to get it under control in about one and half-hours. Several of the affected residents were racegoers who returned from Doncaster to see the hotel ablaze, but according to true fashion the then manager Mr Leigh kept the bar open and served drinks by candlelight!
During the 1950s Queen Maude of Denmark kept a small suite of rooms at the hotel, which, as far as we know is now our Bell Room and Room 1.
After the fire the Bell was bought by a Mr Hans Neilsen, probably the most well known to local people. Mr Neilsen came to this country from France and after disembarking promptly had his savings stolen. He bought the Bell in 1954 for just £28,000. Mr Neilsen developed the hotel and brought about many favourable changes. He built the now existing Wiseton Room (just off the Bradgate Suite) which was to accommodate the ceiling, panelling and windows from Wiseton Hall when it was demolished. He paid just £4.10s for everything.
The Bell had its own pigs and five gardens where crops were grown for use in the kitchen. He also turned the now aptly named Neilsen Suite into a conference room which was originally part of the stables and hayloft. The restaurant used to be in our largest banqueting suite until it was moved to its present position in front of the hotel. The Bradgate took its name from Bradgate House, as all the oak wall panelling came from the house when it was demolished. It was the home of the ill-fated Lady Jane Gray who was Queen for just nine days before Queen Mary had her executed in 1554. Remember to look out for Lady Jane because she still walks the Bradgate Suite. Most of our ghosts inhabit the old wing of the hotel so be warned you might bump into someone!
Monte Carlo or Bust
In the winter of 1960 the Bell was again host to the great cars of the era – the Monte Carlo Rally. Over 70 competitors stopped at the hotel which was the only British checkpoint that year.
In 1972 a re-enactment of the original mail coach run from Edinburgh to London was organised. The last run had been in 1845. The coach used was owned by a group of enthusiasts from the Lake District.
Famous Faces
Many famous faces have passed through our doors over the years including Charlie Chaplin, Oliver Reed, Joan Crawford, Sir Harold and Lady Wilson to mention but a few. Our distinguished visitor’s book is available for viewing – please ask at reception. Some other famous visitors have included Louis Theroux and Rik Wakeman.
After Mr Neilsen the hotel was taken over and operated by a series of hotel companies including Trust House Forte, Principal Hotels, Crerar Hotels and, latterly, Swallow Hotels & Inns.
2007 – New ownership, restoration and refurbishment
In 2002 Paul and Hilary Levack, longstanding residents of Barnby Moor village, bought the freehold to Ye Olde Bell whilst the building itself remained under long term lease to a national hotel chain. In late 2006 the hotel’s operating company, Swallow Hotels & Inns, went into administration leaving the Levack’s with the decision to either find a new operator or to take over the management of the hotel themselves.
The first thing they did was to re-install Kate Firth as General Manager. Kate had been GM at the hotel for almost 20 years but had been seconded in 2006 by Swallow Hotels to a sister property in Yorkshire. Kate, however, did not return to Ye Olde Bell alone – but with her husband Keith, who had been a previous Head Chef at the hotel.
Within weeks a full-scale renovation and refurbishment programme was underway, personally led by Paul and Hilary. They regard themselves as ‘custodians’ of Ye Olde Bell and it was paramount to both of them that the property was sympathetically restored and that it’s history and heritage was not lost. They have been overheard more than once to say, “It’s been like that for nearly 400 years so there’s no way that we’re going to be the ones to change it”! This attitude is immediately noticeable on the ground floor and throughout the public areas where the emphasis has been on restoration as opposed to renovation. For those who knew the hotel of old there’s still a strong sense of the familiar – but with new life breathed into it and lots of loving care and attention.
The floors have been laid with a deep red traditional carpet throughout; the walls have been redecorated with a combination of elegant cream wallpapers, textured cream finishes and the fabulous moulded Lincrusta wall coverings - whilst the windows have been dressed with sumptuous fabrics. The oak panelling has been restored, the antique furniture repaired and polished to a shine, oil paintings have been cleaned and the original oak floorboards have been retained – creaks and all! Tasteful new furniture has been introduced which complements the overall scene. The Levacks commissioned a local artist to paint a mural of a country-sporting scene up one of the staircases. It is a reminder of the local rural heritage and something which they hope will remain an integral feature for many years to come.
The original mouldings in the Bradgate function suite have been completely restored (take a look at the bell over the first fireplace) and beautifully crafted oak panelling has been installed in the Neilsen Suite – something Paul and Hilary think Hans Neilsen, former owner, would wholeheartedly approve of. New life has also been breathed into the St Leger Bar. It was important to the Levacks to transform the bar back into a spirited hostelry and focal point for the local community and it has to be said that the St Leger Bar and the adjacent Bistro-by-the-Bar form the true heart of the hotel.
Whilst Paul and Hilary felt a responsibility to preserve the hotel’s heritage, they also wanted to bring it very firmly into the present century with all modern comforts and facilities. Hilary has a great enthusiasm and expertise when it comes to style and design and so this task fell firmly at her feet. However, with an entire hotel in need of refurbishment this was not a task to undertake alone so she recruited the help of experienced local interior designer Tonya Wynne of Homestead Interiors.
In total the project has taken almost 16 months to complete. From the outset Tonya shared Hilary’s vision as to how Ye Olde Bell should be transformed – sympathetic to the history and heritage yet with plenty of “wow” in the appropriate places. They pooled their expertise and creative energies and put in many long and back breaking hours to achieve what we see today. Aside from the public areas there were no less than 49 bedrooms in need of total refurbishment. From the very beginning there was no question that each room should be individually styled and between the two of them they created a unique scheme for each and every one. The result is a palette of restful pastel colours which have been teamed up with, and enlivened by, drapes, throws and cushions in an array of rich silks, damasks and contemporary fabrics – which whilst vibrant are not out of keeping with the historic feel. Hilary loves the black and gold ‘Victoria Suite’ which she describes as being “Victorian Versace” whilst the ‘Bowness Suite’, with its luscious velvets and ornate tapestries, ranks as one of Tonya’s favourites. Both, though, have a soft spot for the “smallest bedroom in the house” (Room 40) which has a 'cottagey' feel with exposed original beams, sloping eaves and soft furnishings in floral linens. A huge amount of effort and imagination has gone into each room and there are many fabulous finishing touches such as glass beading and other intricate trimmings on pelmets and lamp shades and elaborate silk tie-backs.
Accessorising is something Tonya is passionate about and this summer will see the opening of her new shop, “Absolutely Dotti,” which will stock soft furnishing accessories such as these silk tie-backs and fine trimmings along with interesting pieces of furniture and fixtures and fittings such as fantastic chandeliers. Tonya is particularly excited about her range of cushions in vivid silks with more glass beading which are, in her own words, “to die for”. Absolutely Dotti, located on Top Street in Bawtry, will also stock ladies accessories and jewellery, giftware, greetings cards and will become the new base for Homestead Interiors.
Hilary is very particular when it comes to bathrooms resulting in double walk-in power showers and claw-footed roll top baths in many rooms. Having travelled the world a great deal themselves Paul and Hilary know what’s important to them when staying in a hotel and have used this experience to ensure they provide the highest levels of comfort for their own guests.
Once again – “the” place to eat, stay and celebrate
It has been an all-consuming labour of love restoring Ye Olde Bell to its former glory. Not one corner has been overlooked and no expense has been spared. It’s hard to believe that during the whole refurbishment programme the hotel didn’t close for a single day and Paul, Hilary and Kate are grateful to the many guests who have graciously put up with bare floorboards, dust sheets and some general banging and crashing!
Now that the work is done Paul and Hilary want to regain Ye Olde Bell’s former reputation as one of “the” places to eat, stay and celebrate in the region and want everyone to come and see the wonderful transformation for themselves.
Do you have any great stories or memories about Ye Olde Bell Hotel?
From time to time we bump into people who have such wonderful stories and memories of Ye Olde Bell. We would like to set up an archive of these stories and photographs and would like to invite anyone who might have something to contribute to come forward. Did you meet, marry, or hold a special celebration here? Do you have a funny story or a happy memory to share, or did you perhaps work here in the past and can help us fill in a few historical details? If so we would love to hear from you.
If you have an Olde Bell tale to tell, Erica Taylor in our Marketing Department would love to hear from you. She is contactable on 01777 705121 or sales@yeoldebell-hotel.co.uk.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
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