2015 marks an incredible milestone for the Grand in Eastbourne, an amazing 140 years have passed since the doors were opened on this magnificent hotel. Way back in 1875 things were quite different to the life we know today! At this time Great Britain was expanding its Empire and the Upper Classes ruled the land. They took their holidays by the sea in this country and for many weeks, even months at a time. They employed servants and nannies for their children and took some of them on holiday with them.... and so the Grand Hotel was built, to cater for all of them!
In the Eastbourne Gazette of May 13th 1874 it states... 'Upon a site near Burlington Park a magnificent hotel at a cost of £40,000 and a frontage of 400ft will be erected' The hotel will contain 250 bedrooms and have every elaboration and convenience of a first class establishment, while two acres of ground in the rear will be laid out for visitors'
At the time of the opening the front of the hotel was actually what is now the back! The main entrance being on Compton Street, with grounds extending all the way to the sea at the back. At this time the seafront road did not exist and Bathing Huts were available to rent to take you all the way to the waters edge.... preserving the ladies dignities!
Early advertising tells us of Grand Saloons, Drawing Rooms, Library, Conservatories, Sitting Rooms with private balconies overlooking the sea, Ball Room, Billiard Table and Lavatories!.. in 2015 it does seem a little odd to be advertising you have toilets doesn't it, but this was most important. The hotel also had a hydraulic lift to every floor, Turkish Baths and boasts that in the winter months it was warmed throughout by hot water pipes.... pure luxury!
For guests wanting to see the sights of Eastbourne, the 'Bath Chair Men' were on hand offering trips along the prom in style. This service actually continued right up until the Second World War.
Eastbourne at this time was booming and an early guide certainly paints a wonderful picture... 'Nature is lavish of her blessings in this favourable place. Sheltered from the wind by the white cliffs of Beachy Head, this is the secret of Eastbourne's dry health-giving air. Borne on the breeze from the Channel across clean shingle and wide sands that roll down to the water's edge'
To give even more of a sense of how the town was expanding, some other major opening also happened at the same time as the Grand. These included in 1874 The Devonshire Baths, at the time the largest salt-water baths in the country, using the natural tidal rise and fall to fill and empty the baths via a cast-iron pipe. In 1876 the first Concert was held at the Pavilion and in 1882 the first Theatre opened. It was at this time the iconic Pier was put up too.
And so we can only marvel at what life was like among the corridors of this beautiful 'Grande Dame' 140 years ago. All the excitement of a new and imerging era. To be honest, if you have a little wander around today you still get that feeling of grandeur and style from a bygone age.... with all the mod cons and toilets of course!...
Next time....... Famous people along the way!