Old Monmouth History
The
Old Monmouth is situated in the heart of Lyme Regis only 100 yards from
the sea and a few minutes walk from the harbour, town centre, gardens
and beaches.
The hotel was established in 1630 as a coaching inn, it
had it's own stables and stood on nearly one acre of land. In 1644 Lyme
proved it's independence resisting successfully for two months. Women
were recorded to have stood beside their men firing and loading muskets.
The
Royalists had failed and left soon after. James Scott, Duke of Monmouth
landed near the Cobb in 1685 to launch his attempt on the crown of his
uncle James II. Monmouth's cavalry stayed at this hotel with Lord Grey,
his main allies. Lyme paid for it's dissenting after the battle of Sedgemoor
at the Bloody Assize when Judge Jeffrey's (The Hanging Judge) exacted
retribution.
During the 1750's local politicians and the customs service
became corrupt and tunnels were dug connecting the building with the
Tudor House and the Parish Church to avoid paying duty.
Before the 1900's the building was known as the Golden Hart Commercial
Inn. In 1891 the premises were visited by Oscar Wilde and as was fashionably
at the time, signed graffiti on a window. This was assumed to be an
urban legend until the present owner stripped the pine shutters in 1998
and in the bare wood a large W was exposed. In 1910 the property was
sold as the Glenmire Guest House for £400 and was later used as a doctor's
surgery. In the 1930's it was the home of the owner of the Gables next
door. In 1940's the Old Monmouth Hotel again saw military activity.
The British army requisitioned the building. The American army also
used it as headquarters and officer housing. It was returned to original
usage as a hotel in 1945. Finally we come up to date. In 2004 the property
was refurbished to start its new role of self catering for larger families
and groups, we think you will agree it seems to be happy with its new
function.