Ossington Coffee Tavern

Ossington Coffee Tavern is a red brick building with large rectangular windows and an open arcade front facing Newark's town center. The property contains several dining areas, rooms for sleeping, and spacious gardens that extend toward the River Trent and its bridge.

The building opened in 1881 as a temperance establishment under the patronage of Charlotte Viscountess Ossington and became a hotel by 1889. This shift reflects how such establishments moved from religious abstinence movements toward commercial lodging.

The rooms inside were designed for gatherings and social meetings, showing how Victorian people spent their free time together. These spaces today reveal what kinds of places mattered for community connection and learning.

The building is centrally located in Newark and easily reached on foot from the town center. The separate areas for dining and sleeping are clearly distinct, making it simple to navigate.

During World War II, the building served as housing for Royal Air Force pilots stationed at the nearby RAF Winthorpe base. This episode shows how established inns were repurposed during times of national crisis.

Location: Newark

GPS coordinates: 53.07830,-0.81137

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:42