16 | Bed & Breakfast News | May/June 2011 Proprietors in
the Spotlight: Lisa Holloway of Compton House, Newark
David Weston of the Bed & Breakfast Association met Britain’s “friendliest landlady” Lisa Holloway at the AA’s lavish B&B Awards event on 16 May (see pages 8-13), and spoke to Lisa about her award, and her B&B.
Lisa runs Compton House Bed and Breakfast in Newark, a charming and elegant Grade II Listed townhouse. It has seven bedrooms, all except one en suite including two twins, a family room for up to four on the ground floor and a Four Poster bed with free standing roll-top bath.
There are always fresh flowers in the house and guests have a Drawing Room where they can browse through books, read the newspapers and magazines. In winter there is a log fire and in summer the guest courtyard at Compton House is perfect for sitting out with a glass of wine or a cup of tea.
Newark is 1 hour 20 minutes from London, a short drive from Sherwood Forest, and 30 minutes’ drive from the historic city of Lincoln. Oakham and the vale of Belvoir are nearby.
“The award lunch has been so lovely” said Lisa. “The AA did us proud, in such a wonderful venue. Everybody said “congratulations & well done” – which shows the generous nature of B&B owners.
“This is our 7th year, so we cave come a long way! The AA very kindly asked me to enter for this award last year, but my husband was very ill so I was unable to do it then.
“Before the B&B I had run a catering company, a wedding venue and a private hotel. I am writing a cookbook at the moment, so was very excited to meet Henrietta Green at the B&B awards lunch – she was on my table.
“I want my cookbook to be one that people will use – a mainstay in people’s kitchen, which will stay open on the worktop and get stained! I am talking to a publisher.
“We have seven rooms, and have a wonderful housekeeper, Rachel. Seven rooms is too big for two people, but not big enough to employ a manager.
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