If you are researching The Priest House Hotel, you are likely looking for clear facts about its history, rooms, and recent ownership changes. This article draws on official property records, verified booking listings, and local news reports to provide a grounded overview of this four-star hotel, a converted Norman mill tower set on the banks of the River Trent near Castle Donington. The site’s watermills are recorded in the Domesday Book, and the hotel has undergone a significant ownership transition in 2022.
Last checked: 2026-08-01
location: Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England · property type: four-star hotel in a converted Norman mill tower · number of rooms: 42 · dining: Millstream Brasserie · setting: on the banks of the River Trent · star rating: 4 stars
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-08-01.
Sources reviewed: official property website, TripAdvisor guest reviews, Booking.com listing, Trivago listing, local business news (TheBusinessDesk), property sales brochure (Sanderson Weatherall), Historic England listing, Wikipedia entry, Offpeakluxury travel site, and the current owner’s project page (Quest Property).
We did not conduct an on-site visit, did not interview hotel staff, and did not independently verify prices. Guest review data is drawn from published user reviews on third-party platforms.
Why The Priest House Hotel is distinctive
- The hotel operates as a four-star property of 42 bedrooms created from a converted Norman mill tower and a row of 17th-century cottages (Sanderson Weatherall).
- The hotel is located in the riverside hamlet of Kings Mills, on the River Trent, and markets its own privately owned riverside with fishing available to residents (The Priest House Hotel; Offpeakluxury).
- Original watermills on the site are mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 (Offpeakluxury). The building’s Norman mill tower and historic water wheels survive as principal elements.
- After former Norton Motorcycles CEO Stuart Garner bought the hotel in 2016, the estate was marketed for sale by administrators in 2020. Quest Property acquired the hotel in 2022 and plans to add 42 holiday lodges and pods (Quest Property).
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England |
| Property type | Four-star hotel in a converted Norman mill tower |
| Number of rooms | 42 |
| Dining | Millstream Brasserie |
| Setting | On the banks of the River Trent |
| Star rating | 4 stars |
What is the history of the Priest House Hotel?
The site’s recorded history begins in the Norman period. Watermills operated here as early as 1086 (Offpeakluxury). The hotel’s own website states that the building stands on the site of a former Norman mill complex on the banks of the River Trent, with the Norman mill tower and historic water wheels as the principal surviving elements (The Priest House Hotel).
The main building is Gothic in style, with two- and three-storey stone elevations beneath a pitched tile roof. Sanderson Weatherall’s 2020 sales brochure notes that it was substantially extended in 1964 and again in 1981 (Sanderson Weatherall). The property is Grade II listed, with Historic England’s entry confirming its designation as a heritage asset (Historic England).
A short history of The Priest House
A historic brochure from 2014 describes the site’s history as spanning around 1,000 years, combining historic architecture with modern comforts (Slideshare). The hotel’s location in Kings Mills, a riverside hamlet west of Castle Donington, connects directly to the mill heritage that gives the area its name.
How far back does the history go?
An on-site sign recorded in a 2026 video review states that the Norman mill tower was listed in the Domesday Book and was owned by the Crown until 1581, when Queen Elizabeth I granted it away (YouTube). While this claim relies on signage rather than a primary historical document, it is consistent with the Domesday reference and the Crown ownership pattern typical of medieval mill sites.
What makes The Priest House Hotel unique?
The hotel’s defining feature is its conversion from a Norman mill tower into a four-star country house hotel. The Sanderson Weatherall brochure characterises it as a 42-bedroom boutique hotel that forms part of a wider estate including Kings Mills Caravan Park and Grange Lea House. The property has planning consent for C1 (hotel) use, which confirms its established operational status.
The riverside setting on the River Trent is central to the hotel’s identity. Marketing materials emphasise “stunning riverside views and woodland surroundings” (The Priest House Hotel). Offpeakluxury describes it as a “4* historic country hotel” perched on the banks of the Trent near Derby, noting its departure from the standard country-house formula because of the converted mill and riverside location (Offpeakluxury).
Norman mill tower conversion
The Norman mill tower and historic water wheels are the surviving elements of the original mill complex. The building’s Gothic style, with stone elevations and a pitched tile roof, reflects the 1964 and 1981 extensions that created the current layout. The hotel’s things-to-do page states explicitly that the building stands on the site of a former Norman mill (The Priest House Hotel).
Riverside setting on the River Trent
Guest reviews on TripAdvisor regularly mention the hotel’s position “right by the Trent” (TripAdvisor). Private fishing rights and the privately owned riverside add to the sense of seclusion, even though the hotel is approximately five miles from East Midlands Airport (Trivago).
What this means: The combination of Norman mill architecture, a Grade II listing, and a direct riverbank position places The Priest House in a small subset of English mill-conversion hotels that can offer both heritage and a natural setting.
How many rooms does The Priest House Hotel have?
The hotel has 42 guest rooms. The room stock is distributed across the converted mill tower and a row of 17th-century cottages, a configuration confirmed by the Sanderson Weatherall portfolio brochure and consistent across third-party listings including Trivago and TripAdvisor.
Room types and amenities
Guest reviews on TripAdvisor refer to cottage rooms, main building rooms, and suites. One review explicitly mentions Room 29 as a suite overlooking the river, suggesting that river-facing rooms are a distinct category (TripAdvisor). The hotel is rated four stars and offers dining at the Millstream Brasserie, which serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner (Offpeakluxury).
“We had a short holiday at the Priest House – the position right by the Trent is beautiful. The Sunday night price of £60 for room and breakfast was excellent value compared to the normal £150.”
— TripAdvisor guest review, 2017
Who owns the priest house castle in Donington?
The ownership history of The Priest House Hotel reflects broader changes in the Donington Hall estate. In 1976, British Midland International (BMI) purchased the wider Donington Hall estate for use as its headquarters (Sanderson Weatherall). In 2016, Norton Motorcycles CEO Stuart Garner bought The Priest House Hotel to expand his hospitality business (Wikipedia).
Following Norton Motorcycles’ collapse into administration, the Donington Hall estate, including the Priest House Hotel, was marketed for sale by administrators in July 2020 for just over £13 million (TheBusinessDesk). The property did not sell immediately as a single lot.
Recent change in ownership
In 2022, Quest Property acquired the Priest House Hotel. The company’s project page states that it is pursuing planning permission to add 42 holiday lodges and hotel pods on the site while retaining the existing hotel and cottages, which it describes as being “of significant historic interest and Grade II listed” (Quest Property).
The bottom line: The hotel has passed through three distinct ownership phases in the last decade — corporate estate, motorcycle entrepreneur, and now a property developer — each of which has shaped its operational focus and investment direction.
Quick answers to common questions
How can I find the Priest House Hotel menu?
The hotel operates the Millstream Brasserie, which serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. Menus are typically available on the hotel’s official website or by direct inquiry.
Is there a job at the Priest House Hotel?
Job openings are posted on the hotel’s official website and on general hospitality job boards. Specific vacancies change regularly.
What is the Priest House Hotel phone number?
The hotel’s phone number is listed on its official website and on booking platforms such as Trivago and TripAdvisor.
How does the Priest House Hotel compare to Donington Manor Hotel?
The Priest House is a four-star riverside mill conversion with 42 rooms, while Donington Manor Hotel (also in Castle Donington) is a different property. The Priest House’s key differentiators are its Norman mill architecture and direct River Trent setting.
What is the address of the Priest House Hotel?
The Priest House Hotel is located at Park Lane, Kings Mills, Castle Donington, DE74 2RR, England.
Timeline of key dates
- 1086 — Watermills on the site recorded in the Domesday Book (Offpeakluxury).
- 1976 — British Midland International purchases the wider Donington Hall estate (Sanderson Weatherall).
- 1964 and 1981 — Substantial extensions to the main building (Sanderson Weatherall).
- 2002 — Grade II listing designation by Historic England (Historic England).
- 2016 — Stuart Garner purchases the hotel for hospitality expansion (Wikipedia).
- July 2020 — Estate marketed for sale by administrators for just over £13 million (TheBusinessDesk).
- 2022 — Quest Property acquires the hotel, plans additions (Quest Property).
Our pick: Who will enjoy The Priest House Hotel most
Based on the property’s architecture, setting, and review profile, the hotel is best suited to three reader types:
- History enthusiasts — The Norman mill tower, Domesday Book connection, and Grade II listing provide a tangible historic fabric not found in most modern hotels.
- Romantic getaway seekers — Guest reviews emphasise the quiet riverside position and cottage accommodation, which suit couples looking for a retreat.
- Riverside location seekers — The direct access to the River Trent, private fishing rights, and woodland surrounds distinguish it from standard country hotels.
If heritage and water views are your priority, The Priest House offers a genuinely unusual package for a four-star hotel in the East Midlands.
Location and how to get there
The Priest House Hotel is located at Park Lane, Kings Mills, Castle Donington, DE74 2RR, England. Kings Mills is a riverside hamlet approximately two miles west of Castle Donington town centre (Sanderson Weatherall). The hotel is about five miles from East Midlands Airport (Trivago), making it a convenient stop for air travellers. The nearest major roads are the M1 and the A42, both within a 10-minute drive.
Alternatives nearby
If The Priest House does not suit your needs, two other properties in the Castle Donington area are worth considering:
- Donington Manor Hotel — A separate hotel in Castle Donington, less intimately tied to the riverfront but with a different price point and room configuration.
- The Old Priest House (private residence) — Not a hotel, but a separate historic building in the area that sometimes appears in search results. Confirm you are booking the hotel at the Kings Mills address.