The Ward Room & The Chimney Alcove

The visitor to the Inn will notice as they step into the Inn that it is a step into something of a cross between an inn and a museum.

Another point of interest in the Ward Room, is the fireplace. Once having chimneys that emerged through the top of the rock, they also had the added benefit of only needing to be swept every thirty years or so, due to a large chamber behind the fireplace.

The sharp-eyed visitor to the Trip will notice a black painted wall on the right near the stairway to the upstairs lounge. This area houses the Chimney Alcove, featuring a breathtaking chimney that once emerged through the top of the rock beneath the walls of Nottingham Castle, reputedly having a secret entrance to the network of caves that joined up with Mortimer’s Room, although that entrance is now blocked off.

When this alcove or chamber was eventually opened up in 1996, seven and a half tons or more than 50 sacks of soot and sand were removed over three day building operation!