A storied hotel where history meets heartfelt hospitality
The Admiral Rodney in Horncastle and is a delightful blend of tradition and warmth. Nestled on the banks of the gentle River Bain, this charming coaching inn turned hotel retains its low‑beamed ceilings and stone mullioned windows, evoking centuries of local history. Inside, fresh cream walls are offset by polished wood and tasteful floral fabrics, lending a gentle elegance. The public bar hums with friendly local chatter, while the dining room serves hearty, well executed Lincolnshire fare. The Admiral benefits from a large car park and spacious event spaces, upstairs, cosy rooms with crisp linens and subtly modern bathrooms offer views over the river or the town’s quaint streets.
Take a walk with us, back in time
The Admiral Rodney in Horncastle began life in the 1790s as the Rodney Inn, emerging from the Revesby Abbey estate once owned by the illustrious Sir Joseph Banks, the botanist who sailed with Captain Cook. By 1793, it had taken the name of Admiral George Rodney, the dashing naval hero whose victories were the toast of Georgian England.
In those days, Horncastle bustled with life, particularly during its famous August Horse Fair. For two exhilarating weeks, the inn’s stables and paddocks were filled with Irish horse dealers and weary drovers. One can almost hear the clatter of hooves and smell the leather and straw. The inn offered not just rest, but connection, a place to eat, trade, and swap stories long into the night.
In 1865, it was elegantly rebuilt in red brick with fine Georgian and Victorian touches. Through the decades, it remained a cherished gathering place. When the Revesby estate sold it in 1954, it passed through caring hands before a major renovation in 1989 gave it fresh life. In 2011, it joined the Coaching Inn Group, bringing thoughtful investment while preserving its lovely historic soul.
Today, it’s quite the gem, polished beams, graceful sash windows, and a warm, inviting bar that feels as though it’s always been there. Bedrooms are charmingly appointed, the food hearty and local, and the ambience is simply divine. The Admiral Rodney is not just a hotel, it’s a living storybook, nestled beside the River Bain, where history is whispered in every creak of the floorboards.
Horncastle & North Lincolnshire
Sitting at the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, Horncastle is a cheerful jumble of red brick, antique shops and riverside charm. Once famed for its horse fair, today it offers a quiet market town with stories in every corner.
