A History of the Hotel

Image courtesy of the British Museum

The Talbot boasts a long and rich history, with its origins dating from 638 AD when a group of monks, in order to give food, drink and shelter to pilgrims and travellers, established a hostel on the site of the present building. This hostel was attached to an old monastery, built by Bishop Wilfred on the site now occupied by part of the Oundle public school.

An example of a Heralds Tabret

The Talbot Hotel was formerly known as the Tabret (a form of tabard worn by heralds), with the oldest part of the hotel boasting a medieval, timber frame on the Southern side with the New Street arched entrance and stunning original features.

An example of the graffiti scratched into the glass in our Gallery. This was made using diamond engagement rings and the messages are notes of love - for example, this one reads "My Pretty Polly Winter of Cork, in Ireland no girl can stitch so well - 1755"

The principle feature of the Talbot is a first floor, galleried walkway linking the main southern wing to the New Street frontage. This, originally open, gallery was glazed during the 16th century. This glazing still remains today and is interesting for its authentic 16th and 17th Century graffiti!

A painting of Mary, which hangs in our hotel.

Of course, it is the story of Mary, Queen of Scots that resonates most strongly in the hotels history. Queen Mary spent the final years of her 18 year imprisonment by her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, in nearby Fotheringhay Castle.


She was tried for treason and executed in the castle’s great hall on the 8th February 1587. The royal executioner stayed at the Talbot on the night before the execution and it is rumoured he enjoyed one too many of our locally-brewed ales!

The famous haunted staircase, which Mary is reported to have descended to meet her execution.

When Mary’s son, James I, became king on Elizabeth’s death he immediately ordered the castle to be demolished. William Whitwell rebuilt the main part of the Talbot Hotel (which was then primarily a timber-framed building) in the stone transferred from Fotheringhay in 1626. The hotel’s principle staircase was, purportedly, also transferred from the castle. It is believed that Mary descended this very same staircase to her execution.

Our stunning courtyard, looking down towards the oldest parts of the hotel, with the new eatery on the left.

Present day, the Talbot recently completed an extensive renovation, with an all-new glass fronted eatery, completely renovated bedrooms with modern bathrooms and many of the original period features meticulously restored to their former glory, including some beautiful original open fireplaces, exposed oak frames and, of course, the 16th Century gallery.