One of Britain’s finest timber framed houses has been opened as a coffee shop and craft market.

The Governor’s House in Newark, Nottinghamshire, played a key role in the English Civil War.

King Charles I stayed there during the hight of the nation’s unrest.

It was the headquarters of the governors of Newark during the Civil War from 1643 to 1646.

The Governor’s House was built in 1477 – 549 years ago.

Its original structure has been kept, including the long-drop toilet said to have been used by King Charles I himself.

The Grade I listed building was bought by local businessman Brendan Minihane.

He said: “Most of the building was just unloved and unkept.

“It just needed drying, warming, opening the windows, putting the heating on and getting the place lived and feeling more occupied.

“It gradually came back to life with an effort we will be able to create something really special over the coming months.”

One of the first people to take a space at the Governor’s House was coffee guru Tanith Wesson.

She said: “Brendan and I share same vision for this historic building.

“We both believe it needs to be used as a meeting place, coffee house and tea palace.

“We are slowly breathing life into the building with care, attention to detail and a warm and friendly atmosphere.

“We are specialist merchants of tea and coffee and are expanding our business, Cherizena, into The Governors House in Newark.”

It’s planned the Governor’s will become a cultural centre for Newark.

Brendan added:

“We want it to be a nice, open warm place where people come and reminisce, cry, laugh, joke, sing, read books, tell stories and listen to poetry.”

Tanith added: “The building itself needs to be used as community space.

“For example, independent businesses like crafters.

“There are a lot of creatives in Newark and we are doing this for them to be able to come into a safe space with other people and sell what it is that they’re selling.

“It is incredible to be able to trade from the Governor’s House.

“You can sense the history of the buiding as you walk through its many rooms.”