DISCOVER 700 YEARS OF HISTORY AT ONE OF THE MOST HISTORIC HOTELS IN SIDMOUTH

OUR STORY

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13th Century

As far back as the 13th Century a dwelling sat on the current Woodlands site. In 1971, archaeologists searching beneath the hotel discovered a network of ancient tunnels and a domed subterranean chamber.

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1578

Sir Walter Raleigh owned Woodlands and leased the building to Sir William Peryam, a key judge in the trial of Mary Queen of Scots. The manor’s original cellars exist to this day

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1800

The Rev J. Copplestone turned one of the Woodlands barns into a private chapel. You can still see the bell from the landing outside Room 17. 

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Mid 1800s

Woodland Cottage belonged to Henry Digby – a naval officer who played a key role in the Battle of Trafalgar. He commanded the smallest ship in the fleet, yet managed to overpower Spain’s flagship and the largest vessel in the world

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20th Century

In 1909, Woodlands became a GP surgery. Later in the mid-20th century, it was almost demolished and redeveloped. Thankfully, the building achieved listed status in 1951, making it one of the first listed buildings in the UK.