Our Hotel

The historic heart of Lincoln

The White Hart Hotel has been at the heart of Uphill Lincoln since the 14th Century. Close to Lincoln Cathedral (1072) and Lincoln Castle (1068), there are interesting links to local history, including the Reign of King Richard II, World War I (and the design of the first ever Tank), the Battle of Britain and the Dambusters 617 Squadron.

These days it is the natural choice for staying, eating and celebrating in the centre of this beautiful and historic city.

Our hotel is the region’s most elegant and exclusive venue. It boasts 49 luxurious bedrooms, a range of bars and a restaurant serving a range of dishes made with the finest local ingredients. Catering for events from private celebrations to spectacular weddings, the hotel has it all.

Historic Lincoln & The Bailgate

Located in the oldest part of Lincoln, the White Hart Hotel is situated between the 900-year-old Norman Castle, built in 1068 by William the Conqueror, and Lincoln’s Medieval Cathedral, which dates back to 1072. The hotel stands on Bailgate, an ancient, cobbled street that now showcases a range of independent retailers and eateries.

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Beautiful Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire is often referred to as the nation’s larder, with a significant volume of the UK’s fresh produce being grown here. It also has a long and fascinating history – the county is rich in heritage, as well as character, from the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds to the unspoiled coast.

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History of the White Hart

The White Hart Hotel is at the heart of one of the most historic cities in the world. Find out more about the key events that have taken place at the hotel and in the surrounding area over the past two millennia.

AD50

The Roman Occupation of Lincoln. Roman conquerors transformed the city from an insignificant Iron Age hamlet into one of the most important Roman settlements in the country.

886

After establishment of the Viking Danelaw in 886, Lincoln became one of the Five East Midland Boroughs, a network of Viking trading settlements.

1068

Records in the Domesday Survey show evidence of Lincoln Castle. The castle is located less than 100 yards from the hotel, upon the remains of a large settlement with battlements that may have existed in other forms before 1068. Today it is a scheduled monument and can be visited by the public.

1072

Construction begins on Lincoln Cathedral, a medieval Gothic-style Cathedral that now attracts visitors from all around the world. The Cathedral, also known as Lincoln Minster, or the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln, is sometimes called St Mary's Cathedral. It is a Grade I listed Cathedral and is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Lincoln.

1141

Lincoln was the site of a battle between King Stephen and the forces of Empress Matilda, led by her illegitimate half-brother Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester. After fierce fighting in the city streets, Stephen's forces were defeated and Stephen himself captured and taken to Bristol.

1150

Lincoln was among the wealthiest towns in England, based economically on cloth and wool exported to Flanders. Lincoln weavers had set up a guild in 1130 to produce Lincoln Cloth, especially the fine dyed "scarlet" and "green", whose reputation was later enhanced by the legendary Robin Hood wearing woollens of Lincoln green.

1386

The White Hart Hotel was first built as a Lodgings House for the visit of King Richard II to Lincoln. On this visit he presented the city with his Sword (which is still displayed within the Stonebow Guildhall). The hotel was built on the site of a former Roman settlement dating back to the 1st Century AD.

1650

The existing White Hart building dates back to around 1650, along with various later additions over the following century. Date Stones remain from 1710 and 1722, the former still displaying the initials of the then Landlord & Landlady, William & Dorothy Thomlinson (WTD).

1749

The original White Hart buildings were expanded. This is recorded in an original ‘hand written’ Legal Title Document, when the then owner purchased former cottages and land to extend eastwards, creating additional rooms and stables around a central Courtyard. Further expansion took place in the 1800’s with further extension works in the 1960’s, 1970’s and early 1980’s.

1915

Sir William Tritton & Major MG Wilson designed and created the first ever Military Tank. At the present day first floor level are the famous Bailgate Suite and the Tank Room (also respectively previously known as The Pink Room & Earl of Yarborough Room). Around 400 Tanks were built at Fosters of Lincoln from 1915 and there was likely also a ‘top secret’ visit by Sir Winston Churchill, when he was Minister for War during WW1.

1922

Prince Edward (King Edward VIII) visited the City for the opening of the Usher Gallery. Many other famous faces have visited in the hotel’s modern history including Princess Alice, Richard Todd, Omar Sharif, Princess Anne, Margaret Thatcher, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Elton John, Tom Hanks and Ron Howard, as well as Basil Brush, Derek Fowlds and many more.

1960

The former Parsonage House of Saint Mary Magdalene of Bailgate was acquired. This was also formerly a Butcher with a full double ‘shop front’ and is now acknowledged with a traditional Victorian style glazed frontage and entrance vestibule for the hotel’s Antlers Restaurant.

1981

The Orangery was opened; this room has now been fully refurbished and renamed The Royal Courtyard. It also tastefully interconnects with the famous King Richard II Room, which up until the early 2000s was the Hotel’s full ‘silver service’ restaurant, now part of a luxury function suite.

2022

The hotel was acquired by local businessman and Lincoln resident, Andrew Long who has overseen a complete refurbishment and transformation of the hotel and nearby Judge’s Lodgings.

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The White Hart Hotel | Part of The Loxley Collection

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