One of Sussex's most historic hotels is back in private ownership for the first time in almost 40 years.

Once the family home of poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, Shelleys Hotel in Lewes is a hit with tourists who love to wallow in its Tudor history and wander through its quintessential English country garden.

The 16th Century manor house in High Street has just gained its third owner in five years after Surrey hotelier Peter Pattenden and his French wife bought the hotel for an undisclosed sum.

Shelleys had been part of the Thistle Hotels chain until it was sold off along with 29 other properties in a £66 million deal in 1998.

It was bought by Grace Hotels, which in recent years has been working on plans to extend the premises.

The hotel boasts 19 individually-decorated bedrooms, restaurant and bar and attracts a significant business trade by offering a range of meeting rooms.

The Pattendens live in France and the hotel's day-to-day running will remain the responsibility of long-serving manager Graeme Coles and his existing staff, who are all staying on.

Mr Coles said: "The Pattendens took over two weeks ago and it is very much business as usual."

Mr Pattenden said: "Since the sale of our commercial hotel in Camberley, we had been searching for a small luxury hotel such as Shelleys, and we are very pleased with our acquisition.

"The hotel is well suited to our business strategy and we are sure the hotel will benefit from returning to private ownership.

"While it is our intention to develop the hotel by furthering the plans for its extension, first realised by Grace Hotels, we know it is vital to retain its essential character.

"Lewes is such a lovely town, and Shelleys must continue to provide the standards of hospitality the town's visitors and residents have come to enjoy."

Monday May 12 2003