Garden party celebration for historic hotel

The Castle Hotel in Bishop’s Castle - which is one of the oldest continually operating hotels in the country - is to celebrate its 300th birthday with a garden party.

The celebration will take place on Sunday June 2, from 3pm at the hotel, with live music and a specially-commissioned Three Tuns Ale being served. The hotel will be throwing open its doors, with no booking required.

Hotel owner Henry Hunter, said: “I could not let such a momentous anniversary go unmarked. I am honoured to have the hotel as it completes three centuries of trading – there aren’t many hotel owners who can say that. We hope everyone will come and join us on June 2 to celebrate this historic hotel.”

The hotel dates back to 1719 when it was constructed from the ruins of the original Bishop's Castle that had been built by the Bishop of Hereford, and the hotel project was funded by wealthy local landowner James Brydges, the Duke of Chandos

The 18th century coaching inn has been recommended by The Good Pub Guide for 15 years in a row, and its story will be preserved in a book commissioned by Mr Hunter from a local history society.