Royal Victoria And Bull Hotel

ROCHESTER HIGH STREET TQ 7468 NW 7/44 Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel 24.10.50 GV II* Hotel. Built as a coaching inn in the late C18, the front extended to the right (NW), probably in the early C19, and with substantial C19 and C20 extensions and alterations, especially to the rear. Brown brick in Flemish bond; tiled gable-end roofs. A wide central carriage entrance enabled visitors to alight within a covered area on the left giving access to the vestibule, main stairs and principal rooms, some of which were contained in a rear wing to this side; fragments of another, smaller, entrance survive on the right-hand side, possibly giving into eating rooms; the internal arrangements are now much altered. Front elevation: the original coaching inn, 3 storeys, symmetrical 9 window range. Prominent 3-bay central coach entrance with pilasters and dentilled cornice supporting a prominent free- standing royal coat of arms. Deeply overhanging wooden eaves cornice with modillions, blocking courses above. All windows under flat arches, with hornless sashes, 6 panes to 2nd floor, 12 panes to the other floors. Stone cills; plinth. The later extension to the right, flush with the early work, symmetrical 3-window range; tripartite window arrangement to 1st and 2nd floors with hornless sashes (8:12:8 and 4:6:4 panel respectively). The ground floor is taken up with a large late Victorian/Edwardian semi-circular opening (now with C20 glazing but originally a separate entrance to the Bull Hotel), flanked by elaborate large corbels supporting pineapples, with, over the window arch, a central swag and bocranium and the name of the pub following the curve of the opening; all surmounted by a short cornice. The plinth is polished limestone. Other external features: to the inner (courtyard) elevation of the left (south) wing, cast-iron piers mark the original dismounting area (now with C20 infil); this elevation contains various early to mid-C19 hornless sash windows (the tripartite arrangement lighting the 1st floor ballroom), some renewed. Just within the coach entrance to the right and now partially internal, 2 original (ie late C18( sash windows at ground level, one set on a curve (12 panes). Interior: Open well staircase with stick balusters and ramped rail; ballroom with 2 fireplaces with white marble surround; other features of uncertain date.

Listing NGR: TQ7419768731