The Norman King in Dunstable is an Inn, that dates back in parts to the 11th century. It is alleged that King Henry 1st had a Palace Lodge built there which was known as Kingsbury Court. This is where he stayed when going through Dunstable and used as a hunting lodge, until he built the Priory Church on the opposite side of the road, then he stayed with the Prior, but the Lodge was still used by his entourage an the nobility. There are several old buildings still intact on the Kingsbury site, that where used as farm buildings. In 1961 The Old Palace Lodge Hotel and The Norman King where opened, having been the farm house and the stable's. The Norman King was separate to the hotel, being owned by different people, and it was a very popular little pub with the local's, and retained it's thatched roof and old world charm. In 2011 it had a small fire and closed for refurbishment, It was then sold to the Palace lodge, as extra rooms and also an additional venue. It had re-opened and on the night of August the 9th 2011 it had 50 guests and employee's staying there, when an arsonist struck and it was burnt down with guests and staff being safely evacuated. Being a grade 11 listed building, we where ever hopeful that it would be rebuilt, and that it would re-open it's door in all it's former glory. The English Heritage have now confirmed that they will be submitting a report to the Department of Culture Media and Sports for review. They will decide if there is enough of the historic fabric of the building left to deem it a grade 11, or if it has been to badly damaged by the fire. There are hoping for a decision to be made by the autumn. If of course it is decided to de-list, then there is no chance of it's survival, and the current owners will be able to knock it down. Unfortunately no attempt has been made in the past year by the owner or the council to start work on it's refurbishment. Dunstable has so few historic building's left, that it would be a tragedy for us to lose another, especially one so picturesque.
