Jetsettersblog

The Great Inns of Britain has proudly announced the addition of a new member, The Rose & Crown at Romaldkirk.

The 18th century coaching inn brings the membership of this collection of colourful collection of stylish, historic Inns to a total of 22.

The Rose & Crown enjoys a picture postcard setting in Teesdale where, since 1733, the Inn has overlooked Romaldkirk’s village greens, complete with medieval stocks, water pump, Saxon church and charming stone built cottages.

Welcoming the Rose & Crown’s membership, Sir Thomas Ingilby, Chair of the Great Inns of Britain, said:

“The Rose & Crown is a wonderful addition to the Great Inns of Britain. This fabulous country Inn shares the essential characteristics of The Great Inns – a real historical charm, coupled with first class food, excellent wines, real ales and a warm welcome.”

Stepping inside, the Inn effortlessly blends contemporary fittings and furnishings with the period interiors of polished panelling, old beams and gleaming brasses. The public bar is a popular watering hole for locals and residents and is completed with an oak settle, carriage lamps and open fireplace.

The twelve en-suite bedrooms are individually decorated and furnished with luxurious fabrics, Bose music systems and Molton Brown bathroom accessories. The seven bedrooms in the main house boast period features, exposed beams, antique furniture, with a couple having private sitting rooms; while the five bedrooms in the courtyard offer a modern, contemporary décor.

Guests can dine in either the Brasserie or the Restaurant and enjoy dishes that make the most of local and regional produce, some of which may have been prepared by owner and chef, Chris Davy. With oak panelling, white tablecloths, candlelight and sparkling silver, the Restaurant offers a fine dining experience, while the Brasserie provides a more intimate setting with its mixture of red walls, old prints and candlelight.

The Rose & Crown at Romaldkirk has won numerous accolades, most recently 2 AA Red Stars and 2 AA Rosettes (2009), as well as being Michelin ‘Pub of the Year’ (2006) and The Which? Guide to Good Hotels ‘Glorious Gastro Pub’ (2004).

Owner, Chris Davy Chris Davy is a life-long chef and hotelier; trained at the Westminster Hotel School in London, he later became Manager of the Chester Grosvenor Hotel, where he met his wife Alison. Together, they successfully ran the Black Swan at Ravenstonedale in the Eden Valley in Cumbria before settling at The Rose and Crown in 1993.

Chris, who is Vice Chair of the British Hospitality Association, is passionate about good food and great service and, commenting on joining the Great Inns of Britain, he says:

“’We are delighted to have been invited to join such a prestigious group. The Great Inns has a wonderful collection of historic inns and we are proud that the Rose and Crown is to be included.”

Chris is also passionate about his local area and is Chairman of the County Durham Area Tourism Partnership as well as being one of the ‘faces’ for North East England’s Passionate people, Passionate places campaign.

Teesdale is an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which offers a land of contrasts, from high fells, lush meadows and dramatic waterfalls. The surrounding countryside of the Yorkshire Dales and Pennines offer excellent game shooting, mountain biking, fishing, bird watching and walking, much of which can be explored by the various footpaths that lead from the Inn.

Membership of the Great Inns of Britain is by invitation only from the existing members.

The collection of independently owned Inns was first established eleven years ago by Paul Whittome, owner of The Hoste Arms at Burnham Market in Norfolk, and Sir Thomas Ingilby, owner of The Boar’s Head in Ripley, North Yorkshire.