The Maids Head Hotel in Norwich today launched a claim to be the oldest hotel in Britain. The claim is based on the hotel's site being used continuously for hospitality since the early 12th century.

Christine Malcolm, General Manager, the Maids Head Hotel explained: "The Maids Head has a long and illustrious history and can trace its origins to a guest house established by the early Norman Bishop's of Norwich for visitors to the Cathedral.  By making this announcement, we hope to stimulate debate with other claimants to the oldest hotel title, and further enhance Norwich's reputation as a heritage destination."

Media visits to the Maids Head and Norwich are welcomed. For more information please contact Melanie Cook at VisitNorwich, t. 01603 727939, email melanie.cook@visitnorwich.co.uk, www.visitnorwich.co.uk.

Further Information about the Maids Head Hotel

A proclamation making the claim, announced by Bob Lloyd, Deputy City Crier, was officially signed today by The Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Keith Driver, Caroline Jarrold, Chairman of Visit Norwich and Christine Malcolm, General Manager the Maids Head Hotel (photographs available).

Norwich historian Walter Rye, who also owned the Maids Head from 1889 to 1895 considered it to be: "the oldest Norman site in the city after the Castle".

Historian Rev. Francis Blomfield explained that the hotel was built on the site of a house owned by the early Norman bishops. It was this house that became a guest house for visitors to the Cathedral. This eventually became the Murtel Fish or Molde Fish Tavern, the predecessor of The Maids Head. The tavern is first mentioned in Norwich records in 1287. John Paston recommended the Maids Head as good place to stable a horse in a letter dated 2nd November 1472, confirming the change of name.  

The hotel has had some famous visitors over the years. Edward the Black Prince, the eldest son of King Edward III, was entertained at the Murtel Fish in1350 when he attended a joust in Norwich.

Queen Catherine of Aragon, first wife of King Henry VIII, was at the hotel in 1520. During Kett's rebellion in 1549, both the rebels and the royal armies occupied the Maids Head. The Marquis of Northampton breakfasted here before he lost a skirmish and was forced to retreat. Robert Kett then used the hotel as temporary headquarters before being forced to leave the city by the Earl of Warwick's army. The Earl of Warwick then had breakfast at the hotel before defeating Kett at the Battle of Dussindale.

Queen Elizabeth I visited Norwich in 1587. One of the hotel's legends is that she slept there. In 1599, William Kemp, a member of William Shakespeare's company, recovered at the Maids Head after his nine-day dance from London.

Councillor Keith Driver, Lord Mayor of Norwich said: "The Maids Head and its predecessor have been at the heart of Norwich life for centuries. I am pleased to support the hotel's claim and wish Christine Malcolm and her staff success in their debate with ancient hostelries."

Caroline Jarrold, Chairman VisitNorwich said: "Norwich is one of the UK's top heritage destinations. We have magnificent historic buildings including the Cathedral and Castle and 32 medieval churches - more than any city north of the Alps. We are very lucky to have, in the Maids Head, a hotel with a long historical pedigree to complement our wonderful built heritage."

www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk,
t. 01603 209955

VisitNorwich background information

 1. VisitNorwich is the destination management organisation for the Norwich area. It is a private/public sector
partnership and a not for profit organisation whose sole focus is to promote and develop the destination and support its members through collaborative marketing, research, information and business advice.

2. For the benefit of the area as a whole, VisitNorwich strives to achieve: better profile and reputation locally,
nationally and internationally; increased visitor spend; more investment; more jobs and better quality experiences for both visitors and residents.

3. Tourism is worth around £700 million per year to the Norwich area, supports over 9,000 jobs (Tourism South East, 2010).

4. Norwich was placed 6th in volume of tourism day visits in England in 2011 (after London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool) and ahead of popular destinations like York, Brighton, Bristol, Sheffield and Chester.  17 million day visitors spent over £1/2 billion in 2011. Data from the 2011 Great Britain Day Visits Survey (GBDVS 2011).

5. In 2012 Norwich became England's first UNESCO City of Literature and the sixth in the world joining other great
cities; Edinburgh, Dublin, Melbourne, Iowa City and Reykjavik. This accolade is a permanent status.

6. Norwich was placed in the top 10 of UK places to shop (Venuescore 2011-12, The Javelin Group), having also been previously ranked 9th in the Experian Goad retail index and 8th on the CACI index. The outstanding quality and diversity of the city's retail offer presents a major draw for visitors to the Norwich area.

7. Norwich was a finalist in the Group Leisure Awards 2012, in the Best UK City category.

8. Norwich was short-listed as one of the UK's best destinations for shopping in the 2010 Group Travel Awards.

9. In 2010, Norwich achieved finalist status for the UK City of Culture bid 2013.

10. VisitNorwich Ltd is a company limited by guarantee, a private/public sector partnership and
a membership organisation representing the interests of a broad range of businesses across the visitor economy. Its principal public sector stakeholders are Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council.

11. VisitNorwich has been operational from 1st April 2005

12. For further information on Norwich and its surrounding area visit www.visitnorwich.co.uk