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Bolventor, Launceston, Cornwall PL15 7TS
At a Glance: Historic, Pet Friendly

Famous for Smugglers

Built in 1750, the world-famous Jamaica Inn, the setting of the Daphne du Maurier’s book of the same name, was once a haven for Smugglers. With around half the brandy and a quarter of all tea being smuggled into the UK being landed along the Cornish and Devon coast, along with wreckers operating along the coast of Cornwall in the early 19th century, it is believed that Jamaica Inn became a stopping point for Smugglers and Wreckers alike whilst using one of the approximate 100 secret routes whilst moving their contraband.

This inn just oozes history and legend. You can even find out more about the 300 years history at the Smugglers Museum at the inn. This is one for any history lover!

From £45/room per night
High Street, Colnbrook, Slough, Berkshire SL3 0JZ
At a Glance: Historic, Boutique

Famous for Highwaymen

The Ostrich Inn has foundations dating back to 1106 and needless to say a rich history including stories of highwayman that operated in the area. It is rumoured that Dick Turpin had to jump out of the window of the inn to escape capture from the Bow Street Runners (also known as London’s first professional police force).

Today, The Ostrich Inn is a quintessential historic coaching inn with crooked stairs, a cobbled courtyard and cosy fireplaces alongside luxurious boutique style accommodation and a stylish bar/restaurant.

From £60/room per night
Princes Square, Looe, Cornwall PL13 2EP
At a Glance: Historic, By The Sea

Famous for Smugglers

Established in 1516, The Jolly Sailor Inn is the oldest pub in Looe. Throughout its history, the Jolly Sailor has had a connection to nautical world including the main beam being taken from HMS Indefatigable; a ship of the line at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. When the ship was later broken up, the landlord of the time arranged for the beam to be installed in the main bar and it remains there to this day.

Sea faring vessels used to moor right alongside the old part of the Jolly Sailor building, until the land was reclaimed, so given its location, it goes without saying that the inn became a favoured haunt of the smuggling fraternity.

From £100/room per night
Harbourside, Lynmouth, Devon EX35 6EG
At a Glance: Historic, By The Sea, Pet Friendly

Famous for Smugglers

The Rising Sun Inn enjoys a superb position by the harbour in picturesque Lynmouth. This 14th century thatched smugglers' inn is steeped in history with its crooked walls and ceilings, and uneven floors. Do not be fooled though: this popular inn also offers smart bedrooms and a restaurant with an excellent reputation.

From £110/room per night
Seatown, Bridport, Dorset DT6 6JU
At a Glance: Historic, Boutique, By The Sea

Famous for Smugglers

Seconds from the beach, The Anchor Inn sits at the end of the road that runs through Seatown. Dating back to the 18th century, the Anchor lies within a cove that was an ideal spot for smugglers! The extent of their smuggling activies meant that in 1750, it was deemed that Seatown should be given an exciseman (an official responsible for collecting excise duty and preventing infringement of the excise laws). One of these excisemen was shot dead at the top of The Anchor's stairs as he eavesdropped on a group of smugglers in the bar below.

From £110/room per night
Osmington Mills, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 6HF
At a Glance: Historic, By The Sea, Pet Friendly

Famous for Smugglers

Welcome to the 13th century Smugglers Inn! This inn is aptly named, as it was the headquarters of the famous French smuggler Pierre Latour, better known locally as French Peter, in the 18th century.

From £80/room per night
Mermaid Street, Rye, East Sussex TN31 7EY
At a Glance: Historic,2 AA Rosette, By The Sea, Pet Friendly

Famous for Smugglers

Rich in history with the cellars dating back to 1156 and the building rebuilt in 1420, The Mermaid Inn has retained the old-world charm that makes it unique with sloping ceilings, creaking floorboards and secret passageways. Home to the Hawkhurst Gang, a local smuggling group that operated in the 1730’s/1740’s, one of whom is meant to still roam the hotel today.

The Mermaid Inn today boasts a 2 AA Rosette Restaurant and has tastefully combined the old inn charm with todays modern comforts.

From £160/room per night
Cirencester Road, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire GL6 8PE
At a Glance: Historic, Boutique, Pet Friendly

Famous for Highwaymen

Dating from the 17th century, this coaching inn, once a popular haunt of highwaymen is now a boutique inn in a picturesque Cotswold setting. Set within 600 acres of National Trust common land, the Ragged Cot Inn combines historic charm with a comfortable modern style welcoming humans, dogs and wellies.

From £65/room per night
High Street, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 9AP
At a Glance: Historic, Boutique, By The Sea, Pet Friendly

Famous for Smugglers

The Angel Inn & Blue Pig dates back to the 13th century and now offers beautiful boutique accommodation mixing the original features with the quirkiness of a luxury boutique hotel. One of the oldest hotels in Lymington, The Angel Inn & Blue Pig has a number of passageways and tunnels to and from, thanks to rival gangs of smugglers that operated in the town.

Delicious food, beautifully crafted drinks and quirky accommodation makes The Angel & Blue Pig the perfect base for exploring the New Forest.

From £75/room per night
Church Lane, Warehorne, Kent TN26 2LL
At a Glance: Historic, Pet Friendly

Famous for Smugglers

This atmospheric 16th century inn enjoys a tranquil setting opposite the village church - but don't let appearances deceive you, this inn has a colourful history of smuggling! The inn simply oozes charm and character with its low beams, inglenook fireplaces and other original features, including apparently a smugglers' tunnel from the pub to the churchyard opposite! The bricked-up entrance lies behind a cupboard in the hall of the inn.

From £90/room per night
The Street, Smarden, Kent TN27 8QA
At a Glance: Historic

Famous for Highwaymen

This 14th century coaching inn in the beautiful Smarden, a village blessed with a medieval church and around 150 listed buildings. The inn is report Dick Turpin, the infamous highwayman. Now the inn boasts exposed wooden beams and a candlelit restaurant.

From £85/room per night
Bailgate, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN1 3AR
At a Glance: Historic, AA Rosette,Pet Friendly

Famous for Highwaymen

Located between the 11th century cathedral and the Norman castle, The White Hart dates to 1710, although an inn has been located on the site since the 15th century. The Orangery restaurant was once home to some stables where a highwayman was killed by a coachman who thrust a torch into his face. For those interested in the paranormal, the highwayman has been seen on numerous occasions in the restaurant hiding his face with a cloak.

In the heart of Lincoln, The White Hart Hotel has luxurious rooms, some with views on the Cathedral as well as a restaurant, bar and terrace in the shadows of the Cathedral. Perfect for exploring Lincolns historical quarter.

From £77/room per night
8 Northumberland Street, Alnmouth, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 2RS
At a Glance: Historic, By The Sea, Pet Friendly

Famous for Smugglers

Built in the 1600s. The Schooner Hotel has a vast history with many notable figures such as Charles Dickens and King George III that have been rumoured to have stayed. However, there is a darker history to the Schooner Hotel that includes murders, suicides and family massacres. Due to its location, The Schooner Hotel was a regular haunt for smugglers with underground tunnels leading for the port to the cellar.

Situated in the quaint harbour village of Alnmouth, The Schooner Hotel offers all modern amenities alongside cosy bars and a restaurant.

From £49/room per night
Nr. Steeple Aston, Oxford Road, Oxfordshire OX25 5QQ
At a Glance: Historic, Pet Friendly

Famous for Highwaymen

This coaching inn dating from 1475 oozes history and legend. The infamous highwayman, Claude Duval is reputed to still walk the corridors and is thought to have killed the once landlord of the hotel as well as his wife. For those wanting a spooktaculat stay – request room 3.

Today, The Holt Hotel boasts individually styled rooms alongside the aptly named Du Vall’s restaurant and Highwayman’s Restaurant and Bar.

From £57/room per night
25-26 Market Place, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 1JQ
At a Glance: Historic

Famous for Highwaymen

The Black Swan Hotel, a traditional coaching inn dating from 1737, was once owned by the alleged highwayman Ambrose Saintsbury who is rumoured to still haunt the cellar and bar. The cellar beneath the hotel predate the current building and connect to a labyrinth of secret tunnels which run under the Market Square – handy for a highwayman!

Today, the traditional inn offers comfortable accommodation, home cooked food and fantastic real ales (sourced from the Award-winning Wadworth that delivers via a horse-drawn cart). It is ideally located to visit the tourist hot spots, Stonehenge and Avebury.

From £70/room per night