Staying Overnight in a Historic Gate: Is This the UK's Most Unique Airbnb?!

[@morbidsnails1913]

It's so lovely to see Americans who realise that England is far, far more than just London ❤️

[@smithjames058]

You are absolutely correct about the tapestry. The gate you are staying at is today known as 'Swanswell gate' but In medieval/Tudor times was indeed called priory gate. Because the land owned by the Benedictine priory (the first cathedral, which Henry Viii had destroyed) went all the way down to this area.

[@karasaunty9823]

Oh my goodness, your enthusiasm was infectious! I was grinning from ear to ear just watching as you relished the impressive (yet quirkily adorable) Air B&B. I'm so happy for you that you had the opportunity to stay in such a novel place. Even happier that you found a wee 'local' and that Carly had a routine when you were there! Such a joyful channel, this is. Thank you for the smiles! Hugs from Scotland x

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Oh thank you!

[@susanashcroft2674]

Wow that is one quirky Air B&B! Looks like you are enjoying Coventry and now a 'regular' at the local too. Thank you as someone from the UK for doing these videos, I get to learn new things too about parts of my country that I have yet to visit and your upbeat presentation makes it the more enjoyable too.

[@grapesodatravels]

What a fab place! Must be a bit mind-blowing to stay in a building that's older than your country! Bonkers!

[@Kari_B61ex]

Loved the Airbnb! What an excellent place to stay.

[@alisoncauser2955]

We call them gate houses. They are beautiful. This green colour you keep seeing is bang on trend at the moment, we call it sage green. Have a lovely stay.

[@tonys1636]

Was known as Eau de Nil in the 40's and 50's, reputedly from the colour of the River Nile in Egypt before the dams were built. Was found everywhere from Govt., School and NHS crockery to Public Toilets and home kitchens/bathrooms and/or outhouses.

[@pulchralutetia]

That is such a cool place to stay. Coventry is a seriously underrated city. The new cathedral is pretty incredible.

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

We agree!

[@luxury.guy.]

it would have been the best medieval city if it didn't get destroyed in blitz.

[@janettesinclair6279]

You are having such an interesting time - Coventry looks really great, and that Air B & B is just the best! Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. That tapestry is amazing, very beautiful. PS watch your step on those stairs, don't fall.

[@caffinemc1]

I need to visit Coventry now... some super content - Happy travels

[@ednammansfield8553]

This looks amazing certainly something different staying in this accommodation. Coventry is a really nice place to visit and has a lot of history. I look forward to watching your next video 😊

[@keza92]

Oh i love this! how cool to be able to stay in this gatehouse, Coventry looks likes its changed from the last time i went too.

[@chrisball3778]

I visited Swanswell Gate a few years ago, before they refurbished it to turn it into an Airbnb. They were using it as a shed to store gardening tools, and it was full of dirt and spider webs. It's an amazing transformation, and fantastic that it's being used more productively.

[@roybowers4315]

so glad you enjoyed yourselves...... big up cov👍

[@stephengrange5300]

you brighten up my day with your enthusiastic commentary of your trips and accommadation

[@shellygoodwin9530]

You can also stay in Priory row which is literally just at the back of Castle Grounds pub in the city centre. Also Coombe Abbey is a lovely place to stay

[@anncaldwell3999]

Great to see inside the city gate now it's been refurbished, as a local , the last time I went in was pre Covid and the interior just had the plans for the accommodation to look at. It looks great now it's completed.

[@jon8xty1]

You are the happiest and most enthusiastic couple.

[@DeadAirTV]

Those are the types of places I look for to film in 👻

[@airs1234]

I love this place. Thanks for the great tour.

[@AaronLaw92]

This was an office for a local government team and had loads of gardening equipment in it for years too haha!

[@michellevanessa1222]

We love your positive vibe- and we tried to book this abnb for October ; it wasn't available. That's OK as I am sure we will find something else. Oh and we are working our way through all your uploads.

[@ianstobie]

If you want a more rural version of this, you can stay in Shute Gatehouse, near Axminster in Devon. It's the old gatehouse to a 15th century or something grand country house. The house is still there, but the gatehouse has survived better and has been refurbished by the National Trust and the Landmark Trust working together. Shute village is tiny village some distance away, and the gatehouse itself is on the side of a valley in really rural location. I've walked in the grounds but not been in either building. Nearby towards the Axe river is Lyme Bay Winery, a modern winery and cider maker (apples imported from Somerset) with gleaming stainless steel tanks outside. I've been in the shop a few times! In the other direction, west towards the river Otter at Newton Poppleford is another cider maker, Four Elms, this time with its own orchards. But its shop is only open for six months from October, when they start producing the cider. Also on the river Otter, we now have beavers! This may not be very exciting for North Americans, where there are beavers running around everywhere, but these are the first beavers in England for centuries as their predecessors all got turned into hats! The Landmark Trust is a good place to book stays in old buildings, as it was specifically set up to save them by restoring them and letting them out for self-catering holidays. It has about 200 now. Glad you're enjoying Coventry, where I lived for a couple of years. It seems to have improved!

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Guess we need to make our way back to Devon!

[@notreyf]

Anyone else think it's time Carly had her own channel? She wasn't given any opportunity to respond to the sleeping arrangement accusations in this vid. Outrageous :)

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Lol fair point

[@dianegilchrist677]

Wow I didn’t get notifications until today but awesome video.Thank you so much.Lovely.❤

[@Drobium77]

Glad to see you are having a good time in my area, people here really are lovely and maybe you would like to make a 4 mile trip up the road to Bedworth, to visit my works at the Bedworth Garden Project and Mayor's cafe. We work with disabled people and grow a lot of the food that the vegetarian cafe makes into meals 🙂

[@stuartlanigan4622]

Thank you for you quite wonderful reviews of our city... We see it every day, to us, it's "just" Coventry... We forget that other folks, visitors, just go Wow! as they see it for the first time...

[@anniec6420]

wow that air bnb is amazing....enjoyed this video thank you

[@stephenbottomley5210]

Hey Cara and Jeremy! Just been catching up on your vids of your recent visit. As always, fun content and you’ve given me a few ideas for new places to visit here in the UK. That’s definitely one unique AirBnB - reminds me of the gatehouses in Chester and York (Roman walled city in the UK, I guess). Really pleased that you’ve been able to bring Carly with you this time - dog owner myself - as everything has become more dog friendly of late. I may sound weird but love your takes on our supermarkets and I await an Aldi review! 😉Glad to see you keeping up the chips and curry sauce tradition! 😀Would be great to see your take on North Wales and/or Northern Ireland too next time you’re over - bias as where I’m from, and you’ve covered some of the major North West England places already (Manchester now and grew up on the other side of the border by Chester). Keep up the great work and hope you’re all good.

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

We were hoping to make it to NI this time, but sadly, we found out we would need another pet health certificate to move between GB and NI, so it will probably have to be part of the next trip. We will be visiting North Wales soon though. 😀

[@Cozycountry1]

​@@TheMagicGeekdomOh, that is interesting to learn about additional pet health certificate to travel to NI. I love how you say move between GB and NI, but it is part of Great Britain although with the history the NI are very proud of their home and some want to be independent. My male cat is average size, but he still manages to hog the middle of the bed and I can't spread out but I love him ❤ Carly is adorable and I love your vlogs 😊

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

@@Cozycountry1 It is my understanding that although NI is part of the UK, GB is just the island without NI.

[@stephenbottomley5210]

@@TheMagicGeekdom Many thanks for the reply. Wasn’t aware re NI and doggos. If you make it over next time, I’d definitely recommend South Belfast and the university district - very pretty and great for food. Looking forward to the North Wales vid! 👍❤️😉

[@karenisabellestewart851]

This was one of the coolest places you have stayed in yet! Carly looks so cute and comfy. Loving the UK only been to London in England, but developed a love of wine gums, the English style baked beans and Black Pudding! So have you thought about staying permanently?????❤

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

We thought it was one of the coolest places too. If we could work out staying permanently, maybe. 😀

[@janinewatson6118]

Wow, your accommodation looks amazing and a very interesting place with lots of history. It was nice to say hi to you both last week when you were in Saltburn. Hope you enjoyed your fish and chips x 👍😘

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

So nice to meet you! We did enjoy our fish and chips. 😀

[@jamesd.martin-actor5946]

Of all the times I've walked past this and gazed upon it I NEVER knew it was an air b'n'b 😮 thank you so much for educating a Coventry resident

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

You are probably like most people we saw who were confused about why we were in there. 😂 Thanks for watching!

[@jamesd.martin-actor5946]

@TheMagicGeekdom thank you for posting. Would love to see you next time you're here

[@chipsthedog1]

Where i live we have a gatehouse to our Abbey (2nd oldest in Britain) and it is so similar to this one except for the colour. Ours has been converted to a museum. It's a shame you couldn't access the roof, our gatehouse has those same spiral stairs and if you goo to the top you can get out onto the roof where the views are amazing they also provide binoculars.

[@LoveEnglishSetters]

Wow! I live in Coventry, always wondered what the gate was like inside . Glad you enjoyed our city . Safe onward travels :)

[@janebeattie9071]

Love your videos, so glad you're enjoying the history of our country. Xx

[@lifewithgrandmabev]

This place is amazing! Carlie loves it too. She is such a good traveler.

[@petercooper7711]

Your dog is lovely! Enjoyed your enthusiasm

[@anthonylynch1]

I used to play in Lady Herbert's garden when I was a kid. Enjoy wonderful Coventry!

[@michw3755]

What a cool place to stay & Coventry looks great, will be happy to send someone to Coventry now 😂❤

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Lol 😂

[@TransportGeekery]

You guys are the best. Your enthusiasm is contagious.

[@ShaneGilbert-cx4th]

I don't even NO there's SUCH a thing , I live in coventry UK AND I din't NO YOU can stay there . I work past that at least once a week . I'm so glade YOU had a good time in Coventry. 😊😊😊🐶

[@matc6221]

Ah great stuff! No hauntings there then? Such a cool place. I love how your dog was waiting patiently for food in the pub lol. Could do with ye oldie roller blind on that window though.Wow 3 years travelling, that is a long time, good for your guy's!

[@EmilyS-28]

This was a lovely place to stay. I hope you can come to Norfolk soon which is in the East of England, the City of Norwich is fab which is a mixture of old and new, from old medieval cobbled street lanes like Elm Hill to new quirky street food markets, lovely river side walks and houses, loads of restaurants, pubs, bars and shops, beautiful cathedrals and a castle, Also stunning beaches along the coast of Norfolk like Wells/ Holkham beach.

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Thank you for your recommendation! Norwich sounds amazing. I'm sure we'll make it there at some point.

[@Wiiggz]

You guys should visit Tenby in south west wales

[@johnsmith-de9wv]

sausage and mash is good add sliced sweet cabbage and a nice dark thick gravy ,yum ,and you can make it so easy dont forget the butter and pepper in the spuds and add sweet garden peas to the cabbage as you finish steaming it ,dont boil,

[@rachelwalker6700]

I love these buildings and have seen some of the stages they've been through. They were taken on by Historic Coventry trust who have completed the work on them. I believe they will both be open for viewings on heritage weekend in September 😊

[@CNDUK-q8r]

Love this channel! ❤

[@mattblackledge9068]

Highlight of this video eas definitely how excited the doggo was.

[@sarahvaughan4553]

I know, right? :)

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Do you know of any other historical sites that have been transformed into modern lodging? Leave a comment and let us know! Check out some of the other interesting places we've stayed: Mermaid Inn in Rye (an old smugglers hangout): kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKDJaZl4j9ibnbs&t Tiny English Cottage in the Cotswolds: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpSkpmmNaKuFeas A castle outside of Edinburgh: kzbin.info/www/bejne/laDMqYNjftqWgtE&t

[@shellygoodwin9530]

You can stay at Warwick Castle….admittedly not in the actual castle, but cool nevertheless! knights’ village

[@angeladavies898]

The National Trust and English Heritage both have historical buildings converted to holiday lets but not sure how many would be available at short notice x

[@grahamgreen9440]

You should take a look at the Landmark Trust they have some very unusual properties all over the country.

[@alisonrodger3360]

There's a Pineapple in Airth, Near Falkirk/Stirling you can stay in. Yes, I said Pineapple 😁

[@stephenhourd4653]

Fantastic video and with so much great information! Enjoy!

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Thank you!

[@annother3350]

What a quirky little place!! Did you have the garden to yourselves as part of the rental or was it public in the day? An open-roomed show like that is called a wet-room

[@gillianreynolds8493]

Your good humour and positive energy is so wonderful, what a zest for life you guys have.

[@simonsaunders35]

Love the dog. Shame you never got into St Mary's Hall or Charterhouse. But always another visit in order 😊

[@shellsbeer4016]

Wow - if I got to stay there I would not mind 'being sent to Coventry'!

[@wildwine6400]

Look up "cow shed easton farm Woodbridge" you'll like that 😄 Woodbridge is a fishing town in East Sussex

[@swoodhall]

Fantastic video.. love your doggy.

[@lynnjones4609]

People would have looked confused about you coming and going from there because for the longest time the building wasn't used, just locked up. It's only recently been renovated into accommodation and I'm guessing a lot of people don't know this yet!

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

That makes sense!

[@ShadowDev6969]

glad you like my city, never knew about that Airbnb

[@danjudson5661]

Lovely old building tastefully done!

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

We agree!

[@angelavara4097]

I love you two,you make some great videos and to be honest I have seen some others travellers videos and they are not a patch on yours it's like they have not done any research. The dog is a cute one. The duvet is pronounced duvay.

[@MadMax76er]

That is the cutest dog😍

[@reneelancaster8714]

Your next time, get a narrowboat for a short break. I recommend the Ely to Cambridge route. It’s an easy one and you can see so much history from the river. As an American, we used the Black Prince hire service.

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

We do still really want to take narrowboat at some point.

[@scottythedawg]

certainly an unusual place to stay.

[@Lilyswansea]

Loved this thank you from a Coventry kid born and bred.

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Thanks for watching!

[@ynys_mon6928]

I really don’t know how people manage to share their bed with their pets. Our collie has always slept very happily in a crate. However, the dog we rescued last year (from a river bank, inaccessible from anywhere but the river) has real separation anxiety, so he’s ended up sleeping in our bedroom. He’s huge though, and sheds a lot, as he looks like a German Shepherd/Husky cross. If we allowed him in our bed one of us would probably be on the floor, and the other covered in hair. LOL.

[@Loki1815]

How strange that although you are travelling through England, not just London, but at 12:59 when you pointed out the ornamental wooden(?) "Boss" on the ceiling, it is exactly the same as the shield of the "Elephant and Castle" of South East London, where I was born and Bred, so, sorry to bring back to the Capital, even if it's only to wonder why Coventry circa 1385 has the exact Motiff as The Elephant and Castle circa 15th century. Lifted from wiki: The origins of the sign of the Elephant and Castle, apparently comes from the mid-15th century when members of the Cutler’s Company adopted the sign of the elephant as their symbol (perhaps representing the ivory they used in their trade). The Worshipful Company of Cutlers still has an elephant carrying a castle on its back in its coat-of-arms. Strange!

[@iangudgin6536]

I believe that there is a b&b which is a cave in Nottingham. Very luxurious for a cave

[@iangudgin6536]

Actually, it is in Worcestershire and called "The Rockhouse Retreat".

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Ooh fun!

[@simonsaunders35]

Nice bit of history for you. The city walls were pulled down on the demand of Charles 2nd after his restoration. As we refused his dad entry to the city in the civil war. And Charles, the 2nd deemed coventry, is too strong.

[@Laser2120]

"You know you go someplace to much when the staff know your dogs names" 🤣haha

[@amfwelsh]

That’s a really cool place

[@johntaphouse5235]

there is an old saying about being sent to coventry, but i wont spoil the place for you as it is loverly

[@Joelthegeek]

Carly looked like a queen on her throne in her castle!!!

[@TIDYJOKER]

I love Cara and your dog. Jeremy is awesome too, but can't match their enthusiasm :D

[@TIDYJOKER]

This is the only time ive ever seen that gatehouse used. its great to see. Loving the Coventry sky blue glasses. Nice touch, now you live there :D

[@marcuswardle3180]

If the place is listed (maybe Grade 1) then one of the requirements , I believe, is that you must be able to put dwelling back to its original state. Therefore the flooring being cut to mimic the wall but not glued to it maybe for if they have to remove everything they wont damage the wall with modern adhesives but the floor can be simply removed. I have seen a barn renovation which was Grade 1 listed which had a glass internal wall. All the edges of the glass were cut to exactly mirror the internal shape of the stone wall and beams.

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Good to know!

[@lesleybunce9848]

Cool place ❤

[@anneonimous9306]

It looks like you've been sent to Coventry! Did anyone else comment that yet, or am I the first?

[@LeighWalker-m3p]

"The old palace lodge" in Lincoln. Lincoln has an amazing cathedral which i believe was in the Da vinci code and also has many old buildings along with all the new development at the bottom of the roman hill.

[@jaq515]

On the back of this they Waitrose video was defo lincoln I wonder if we will get a lincoln video soon

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

We will indeed have a Lincoln video soon. 😀

[@jaq515]

@@TheMagicGeekdom I apologise on behalf off lincoln 😂. Hope you had a nice enough time tho

[@caz3895]

Great place to stay but I know what you mean about the no curtains lounge. We stayed in a beautiful apartment in Lincoln but the lounge window was across the street from another apartment block and it did feel a little strange.

[@philcoogan7369]

They aren't cheap but have a look at the Landmarks Trust they have some amazing places to stay.

[@jackmason4374]

Spent my childhood wandering round coventry

[@danmalpass2042]

being born and bred coventry for over 40 years i can safely say the reason you got the looks when coming in and out of there was due to the fact we well esp me never seen inside one of the gate houses let alone rent them out on airbnb

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

It's pretty neat inside.

[@jasonjordan1936]

this town his coming like a ghost town

[@kkrispy2009P]

Great review and look coventry is ace

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Thanks!

[@dazpoz]

When are you coming to sunny Southend-on-Sea?

[@robdavies82]

Up north in border land, we’ve got lots of similar buildings called Pele towers - they were built in sight of each other so that they could send signals to each other whenever the Scots were invading down the coast (one would light a beacon, then the next one and so on so they could get the message). Lots of them still exist, especially in Northumberland and now people are turning these empty stone buildings into modern use! There’s one in the Roman town of Corbridge that is a pub, and I think a few are actually lived inside!

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Oh interesting!

[@bitukukuasukgremany3]

How much is it a Night. I worked there when it was Swanswell Pottery Thanks

[@Pure_B]

What a quirky place. We call the 2nd floor the first floor in the UK. We call the US first floor the ground floor. Oh you just said that later in the video. 😂 You don't pronounce the T in duvet. We say duvaaay. The X on the tapestry is where the treasure is buried. 😜 Carly waiting for her pint of Guinness in the pub was so cute. 😂

[@jamieclutterbuck629]

When will you come to Bristol? It's the coolest place in England!!

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

It's definitely on our list! Not sure if we will make it this time, but we will visit at some point.

[@markclark8011]

You have been sent to Coventry 😮😅

[@user-wr6tp9ke7o]

What a fantastic place! Looks like you guys had a great time there 👍🏼

[@QueenNoTeetha151]

Looks lovely but as someone who hates spiders I feel it probably wouldn’t be the best choice for me.😂

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

I saw a spider on the ground floor, but that was the only place, so I was ok with it. 😂

[@angelapuricelli-fenlon1190]

Because Coventry had numerous medieval buildings and a magnificent Cathedral, the Germans decided to blitz it during WW11. Hence why Britain bombed Dresden in retaliation.

[@Dave.Thatcher1]

OMG!! only one handle on that tap! have we finally caught up with America in having "mixer taps"?...😅

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Lol we've seen them a few places. 😀

[@rosemarielee7775]

The kitchen 'curtains' are roman blinds. Pull the cords to one side and they will fold up, then hook the cords up to keep it folded.

[@catherineturner2839]

The 3 of you are meant to be in the UK

[@JoshWoakesDoesReviews]

Your dogs are so cute

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

We think so too!

[@paulbooth77]

That looks like a fantastic Air B&B. So sad that someone decided to spraypaint a tag on a 600yr old building (01.14)

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

For some reason, it wasn't in syndication in the US like so many other shows from that time that we did watch.

[@Jamie_D]

They've done a great job modernising that enough to make it meet modern safety standards, without making it all new and tacky

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

I agree!

[@SeeShaunVlog]

I want to know how many times Jer banged his head 😅

[@Wolfman57]

It's like living in a cave. !!!

[@wharpblast264]

I guess the balcony is where the portcullis was.

[@TheMagicGeekdom]

Oh maybe!