The Lowther hotel named oldest in Britain

The Lowther Hotel in Goole, East Yorkshire, has been given the title of Britain's oldest purpose-built hotel after its predecessor, the Royal Clarence in Exeter, was destroyed by a fire in October.

The 14-bedroom hotel, which is housed in a Grade II-listed building, was awarded by tourism body VisitEngland.

It was built in 1824 by Sir Edward Banks, who is also known for building bridges in London over the Thames.

The Lowther was recently awarded Best Rescue of a Heritage Site in the England Angel Awards 2016 following a restoration by the hotel's owners.

The fire at the Royal Clarence, which was renamed Abode Exeter in 2003, broke out in an art gallery next to the hotel. It soon spread to the hotel and connecting buildings. Built in 1769, the Royal Clarence previously held the title of Britain's oldest hotel.

Speaking at the time, owner Andrew Brownsword said he had "every intention to rebuild the hotel with enormous sympathy to its importance and heritage, and to make it once again a building that Exeter will be proud of. We have always said we believe we are merely custodians of the buildings our hotels operate within, and we pledge to do our very best to return the Royal Clarence to the city and its people."

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