The Coach House

The room was okay and the bed was hard, though that seems to be normal. What stood out was the noise: birds began at 3am, trucks outside were loud from 5 to 6am, and you could hear the restaurant next door chopping vegetables through the wall. The location inside the walls is great. If a bit of noise doesn’t bother you, the place is sufficient.

With parking included, we could leave the car and explore on foot. Cafes, restaurants, the busy high street, cathedral, museums, theatre and cinema were all a short walk away. The rooms are warm and cosy, with what you need for a short break. We booked for a few days away and found it a great base. In warmer weather there’s also a little courtyard for sitting outside.

The location in town is great and the price wasn’t too high. Parking is a problem if you’re driving: there are just four spots for the whole hotel, apparently first come first served, at £5 a day, with no nearby alternative. I was woken several times overnight by an irritating alarm that I had to silence in the hallway. The toilet paper was absurdly thin, and there’s no sound isolation, so I could hear everyone in the hall. I’d only stay here if I wasn’t driving.

The linens were clean, and the location is the only thing the place has going for it. The carpets and walls were stained, the doorknobs were dirty, and the furniture was battered and broken. It felt really dingy and grimy.