Haunted Hosts

The Royal Victoria Hotel stands as one of the most historically significant buildings in St Leonards-on-Sea, originally opening its doors on 26th October 1828 as the St Leonards Hotel. Designed by the renowned architect James Burton as the centrepiece of his ambitious new seaside resort development, the hotel was strategically positioned at the heart of what would become one of England's most fashionable Victorian coastal destinations. The foundation stone was ceremoniously laid by John Ward on 1st March 1828, with coins placed beneath for prosperity. The construction faced unique challenges as the site was formerly Bullrush Pond, requiring innovative engineering solutions. The hotel received its Royal Charter after Princess Victoria's visit in 1834, and subsequently hosted an extraordinary array of distinguished guests including Queen Victoria herself, King George V, Prince Albert, Edward VII, Prime Ministers Gladstone and Palmerston, and the celebrated poet Alfred Tennyson. Following the French Revolution of 1848, Louis Philippe resided here for a period, receiving visits from prominent French statesmen Guizot and Thiers. The hotel's prestigious guest book contains over 500 distinguished signatures, making it a remarkable historical document in its own right.