The building was of course the Slapestone Inn so long ago. It was to later become Chequers.

It was regularly used by travellers and drovers in particular.

The tearoom area would have been a dining room. sitting room and bedroom all rolled into one.

The two inglenooks on either side of the fireplace which is reputed to have burned for 200 years, would each of housed a bed.


'The Fire'..

'The Good Old Days!'..

Outside the Inn would have seen the tired cattle, being driven down from the Western Highlands of Scotland, wearily settling down for a nights rest. They would have arrived at Chequers via Durham, Sedgefield, Redmarshall and Yarm (for the fair sales), Scarth Nick and Sheepwash. Their journey ultimately taking them to York, Norwich or London.
The drover with his team of men, boys and dogs, will have encouraged the herd to travel some 6 to 10 miles a day, depending on the conditions.

After leaving Chequers, the next stop would have been the Limekiln Inn set high on the Hambleton Hills, and overlooking the Vale of Mowbray. The remains of this inn and its limekiln behind can be traced from the ruins of the site.

Presently, our sympathetic restorations have resulted in an unmatched blend of history and quality second to none at Chequers, where once you have experienced our hospitality and cuisine you will want to return again and again.