Marianne House

Marianne House comprises a house and hotel, built in the early 19th century and later expanded. The south wing dates to 1827, constructed by Mr North, who later became Lord North, the MP for Hastings. It was the birthplace of his daughter, Marianne North, the renowned botanical illustrator. Attached to the south wing is a later 19th-century spa hotel.

The south wing is stuccoed with incised lines and has a slate roof with an overhanging bracket eaves cornice. It is three storeys and a basement, with four windows. While the 20th-century casement windows are in original openings, the first floor retains three 12-pane sashes, and the ground floor has two similar windows. Bands run between the floors. A prominent feature is a two-storey curved bow, with a tented canopy over the first-floor four-light window, which includes French windows and marginal glazing. This is supported by six cast iron columns and an elaborate cast iron balcony. The ground floor windows have marginal lights and unusual louvred vertical shutters with four grooves. A later doorcase is also present. Attached to the right side of the ground floor is a single-storey, pedimented function room with a blank tablet and pilasters.

The north wing, built as a spa hotel in the 19th century, is stuccoed and has a hipped slate roof. Its front elevation is two storeys and attics, with three windows, a central three-light dormer, and two two-storey canted bays framing a round-headed porch with a pedimented porte-cochere. The rear wing, dropping in ground level, is three storeys and a basement, also featuring two-storey canted bays, tile hanging between floors, and round-headed openings to the ground floor.

The earlier wing contains a staircase with two turned balusters to each step and a mahogany handrail. A round-headed stair light with marginal glazing and a round-headed niche to the second floor are also present. The Dining Room features a mid-19th century vine leaf cornice and ceiling rose, while the Music Room has a marble fireplace dating from around 1860. The function room has pilasters.

Original patent air vents are present throughout. The former spa hotel has an imperial staircase with a wooden baluster and stained glass panels: one depicting a peacock, another with doves, and a third of pears and apples. The original spring has been filled in, but the tiled plunge bath area remains. Notable visitors to the North house included Edward Lear. The house appears in early prints, including one depicting the entrance of the Duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria into Hastings in 1834.