Loftsome Bridge Coaching House Ltd © All Rights Reserved
sazzle - Doncaster
We have no hesitation in recommending this hotel to anyone, both for overnight stays, or for an evening meal. Our package was superb value for money and we will definitely be returning on a regular basis. Well done and thanks to everyone at Loftsome Bridge for making my birthday such a happy one.
Susan L - Howden
The Coaching House has a warm inviting atmosphere, and the team should be complimented on getting the dining experience just right. Thank you so much....everyone is still talking about it today!
Bumblestraw - Nottingham
My fillet steak cooked blue was evidence of a cookery masterclass: seared to caramelize the cut surfaces and rested enough to allow the heat in the ultra-tender flesh to even itself out. What I was presented with needed no effort to cut and even less effort to chew. Food heaven!
Thank you for another wonderful stay!
Norm & Carol B - Australia
Finally, it would be remiss of us not to record our thanks to every member of the management and staff for making our stay such a pleasurable one.We highly recommend Loftsome Bridge Coaching House as somewhere where you can enjoy Yorkshire hospitality at its best.
Yorkshiretraveller2 - England
We stayed in room 4 which was very clean, spacious and comfortable - a great nights sleep and well worth the money. Breakfast the next morning was excellent - fresh and local produce what more could you want? I would not hesitate to recommend Loftsome Bridge as a place to stay :-)
A4973TPSue_H - Doncaster,
Recently stayed at this lovely hotel with my husband. Our stay was everything we hoped for and more! Our room was spacious, immaculately clean and very welcoming. Both dinner and breakfast were very enjoyable with excellent food and attentive service. We will certainly return at the first opportunity. Many thanks for a great stay.
Brien H - Nelson, Lancashire
I have recently stayed at this Hotel with my wife and my brother and as in previous visits found the rooms were of a high standard, the food excellent and the staff were all very professional, and very helpful. I would recommend this hotel very highly.
PETRA001 - Knebworth,
Do book to eat in the restaurant in the evening as the food is wonderful as are the breakfasts. The accommodation and food/wine are VERY resaonably priced and the staff are very attentive.
Our son was presented with a CONGRATULATIONS dessert, which was a wonderful touch. Can we find an excuse to visit York again ?
Jill H - Yorkshire
My husband and I stayed here for his 60th birthday after hearing very good recommendations from friends. We were not disappointed and from the moment we arrived we were made to feel very welcome. We stayed in room 4 with the fantastic four poster bed and huge en suite. The evening meal was out of this world, delicious and beautifully presented.We look forward to our next visit. Thank you.
The History
Loftsome and Wressle
At the time of writing the Domesday Book, the parishes of Loftsome and Wressle were part of the grand estates of Ralph de Mortimer; Gilbert de Tison. They were known as Loftsome and Weresa.
Wressle (Weresa)
The castle of Wressle was built in Manor style about 1380 and was known as Percy Castle- the Percy family being the Earls of Northumberland.
The Domesday book lists William de Percy II as having grand estates in Huntingdonshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.
The Yorkshire estate was known as the Leconfield Estate - the family name being Wyndham.The Wyndams were descendants of the Percys' though the female line. The existing Lord is Baron Leconfield, often known as Baron Egremont.
Loftsome (Loftsom)
LOFTSOME, (and Loftsome Bridge), on the banks of the River Derwent, in the parish of Wressle and its Castle, situate 3 miles N.W. of the Minster Town of Howden. Loftsome, a hamlet consisted of two farms and a cottage, was formerly reputed to be a separate manor. A wooden bridge was first constructed over the Derwent by Bishop de Pickavia, circa 1230 AD. This bridge fell into disrepair and was washed away in a violent storm.
From early maps it can be seen that the Loftsome premises and ferry existed in the 1500s. The ferry however, fell into disuse after the building of the second Loftsome toll bridge, by a consortium of locals headed by the Earl of Egremont. The charter being granted by King George III. 1803 AD at a cost of £4000, raised by 24 shareholders.It was the property of the company and tolls were exacted for the passage of man, carriage and beasts.The floor of the toll-house, at the end of the bridge, was only 22 feet above sea level. This swing bridge allowed the passage of vessels. It was repaired in 1888-89 at an outlay of £1500 and stood until the present modern bridge was built in 1932.
Typical Toll Bridge Charges were:-
1 Wagon or Coach with 6 horse
1 Wagon & 2 horses
Each foot-passenger
2 shillings
1 shilling & threepence
1 halfpenny
The toll bridge existed until the building of the second Loftsome Bridge in the 1930s.
These premises have endured a number of changes over the years. What is clear fromthe 1797 and 1811 surveys (P.H.A 3075, 1472) is that in 1797 it was known as the Wheatsheaf Anchor and in 1811 as the Loftsome Bridge Inn. However, in 1811 the Inn and accompanying buildings were described as "on the whole in very moderate repair". It was then restored and continued as an Inn until the turn of the century, when it lapsed from an Inn to a Farmhouse.
In 1969 it was changed from a Farmhouse to a Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast.
This being a success it was painstakingly renovated to it's present state.
© Copyright Malcolm Sandilands and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
Old Loftsome Toll Bridge demolished in the 1960