Brook Red Lion Hotel  

In the heart of Colchester on the High Street, this pet-friendly Tudor inn sits steps from Colchester Town Hall and Colchester Castle Museum. Address: High Street, CO1 1DJ; Colchester main rail station is about 500 m away with roughly an hour to London.

Grade I listed and dating to 1465, the hotel keeps original timbered beams and a historic, cosy vibe. The 24 guestrooms offer flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee facilities, en suite bathrooms and a few romantic four-poster rooms.

Complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, a lobby fireplace, library, banquet hall and on-site car parking. Concierge, housekeeping, wedding services and a tour desk are available — perfect for easy exploring and lively high-street mornings.

Business center, conference and meeting/presentation facilities, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, plus dry cleaning and laundry services.

The Parliament Restaurant and bar sit in the former banquet hall beneath timbered beams, serving classic regional dishes with a modern twist; English breakfast is offered daily for a fee. 24-hour room service and an on-site café cover early starts and late returns.