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15 High Street
Maidstone
Above photo, date unknown, by kind permission of Eric Hartland. |
Also showing the "Haunch of Venison." Date unknown. |
Above photo, date unknown, by kind permission Roy Moore,
http://www.kentphotoarchive.com. |
Above postcard, date unknown, by kind permission Roy Moore,
http://www.kentphotoarchive.com. |
Above postcard, date unknown, by kind permission Roy Moore,
http://www.kentphotoarchive.com. |
Above postcard, 1916, by kind permission Roy Moore,
http://www.kentphotoarchive.com. |
Above postcard, date unknown, by kind permission Roy Moore,
http://www.kentphotoarchive.com. |
Above postcard, date unknown, by kind permission Roy Moore,
http://www.kentphotoarchive.com. Showing the King's Hall. |
Above postcard, date unknown, by kind permission Roy Moore,
http://www.kentphotoarchive.com. Showing the Queen's Banqueting Hall. |
Above photo, date unknown, with permission from Eric Hartland. |
Above photo, date unknown, by kind permission of Eric Hartland. |
Above photo, March 1961, from Chris Carter. |
Above photo, July 2011, by kind permission of Eric Hartland. |
The "Royal Star Hotel" described as a Commercial Inn was here in 1837 when the newly elected M.P. for
Maidstone, Benjamin Disraeli, thanked 30 the townspeople who had voted for
him. This was only a few years after the prefix ‘Royal' had been added to
the old "Star Inn," which was trading at
the time of the Civil War, (1642-1651) following a visit to the town by the
young Princess Victoria.
The premises were converted into the Royal Star Shopping Arcade in 1986.
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South Eastern Gazette. Tuesday 18 February 1840.
Royal Star Family Hotel, and commercial house, High Street,
Maidstone.
Robert Fowler, (late in the service of Sir William Geary, Bart.)
begs to inform the Nobility, Gentry and the Public, that he has
taken the above hotel, and having made great alterations in every
department, he can with confidence solicit their patronage, and
assure them, nothing shall be wanting on his part to deserve the
same.
The House will now be found to contain several excellent sitting,
dining, and assembly rooms, numerous bed-rooms, complete with
comfort, a good larder, with soups always ready, and an excellent
seller of choice of Wines and Spirits.
The Yard and stabling is very extensive and convenient, comprising
many first-rate warm and roomy stalls, and lock up coach houses.
For the Posting Departments, R. F. Has purchased some capital
horses, being determined that, as the best road between the
Metropolis and the coast is through Maidstone, and the stages on the
Star posting line conveniently short, the style of travelling shall
not be excelled.
At the Retail Vaults, Wines and Spirits of excellent quality might
be had at low prices, for cash.
N. B. Black Carriages provided for Funerals.
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From the Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Tuesday 5 August 1856.
Royal Star hotel, High Street, Maidstone.
Mr. W. R. Pine, having taken that old-established house, the "Royal
Star Hotel," thanks to inform Nobility, Gentry, and Inhabitants of
Maidstone, and the neighbourhood, that he has made considerable
alterations and improvements; and trusts, by strict attention to the
wishes of those who may honour him with their patronage, to maintain
the high character for the excellence of its accommodation which
this celebrated Hotel has so long enjoyed.
Private families will find this and agreeable temporary residence.
The commercial room strictly private.
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From the Kent and Sussex Courier 20 June, 1873. Price 1d.
BOUGHTON MONCHELSEA.
Sale of Landed Property. On Thursday last, at the
"Star Hotel," Maidstone, Mr. D. R. Charlton offered for public
competition the Vintens, consisting of 15A 1R. 29P.; a malt-house, let
at £20 per annum; a family residence, called Coombe Garden, containing
eight rooms, servants' offices, &c.; the Brook Farm, containing 23A. 1R.
7P. of hop, arable, and meadow land; a piece of woodland, containing 1R.
14P.; a cottage and 2R. 32P. of garden ground; a cottage and 3R. 4P. of
garden ground; and the "Oak" public house, Boughton Green, with
wheelwright's workshop and premises. The whole of the above property was
sold in one lot, for the sum of £7,500. |
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From the ???? November 1895
At the Maidstone Police court, old offender Albert James Bourne was
charged with being found in the luggage room of the "Star Hotel" on 15th
November 1895. Charles Sands, 'under boots' at the "Star Hotel," said he
found the prisoner in the luggage room on the evening, of 15th. He was
in the act of opening a hamper, and on seeing the witness he said "It's
only Tom" and rushed out of the room, knocking him down. Thomas
Williams, head waiter and he saw the prisoner come out of the luggage
room, and followed him and gave him into custody. Inspector Eaglestone
proved that in January last, the prisoner was sentenced to three months'
hard labour for stealing gloves from the "Star Hotel." The prisoner
alleged he was prosecuted out of spite, he had several previous
convictions, and was sentenced to three calendar months' hard labour. |
Above photo, date unknown, showing the Queen's Banqueting Hall, by kind permission of Eric Hartland. |
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Dover Express 11th July 1947.
Town, Port & Garrison.
At the Kent County Olde Tyme Championships to be held on Wednesday next
at the "Royal Star Hotel," Maidstone, Mr. Freddie Overton is engaged as compere and is also engaged for the following three days at the Margate
Corporation First Dancing Festival.
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From the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News. Wednesday 20 March 1957.
THE United Hunts’ Ball at the Star Hotel, Maidstone, as well as
being one of the most popular sporting social events in the south-east,
is also an occasion when the truth of Surtees’ contention that “the
farmer is the backbone of the hunt” is very evident. This year there was
again a high proportion of hunting farmers from Kent and Sussex among
the dancers. The hunts concerned in the title are the West Kent, Ashford
Valley, Tickham, East Kent and Romney Marsh Foxhounds, the Mid-Kent
Staghounds and the Crowhurst Otterhounds. There were, as usual,
hunting-horn contests. Winner of the amateur section was Mr. Alec Piper,
Master and Huntsman of the Romney Marsh, with Mr. A. Gaselee, Master and
Huntsman of the West Kent, as runner-up. C. Hallam, of the East Kent,
won the professional contest with T. Cooper, of the Eridge, in second
place.
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Above programme kindly sent by Paul Tucker, who says it was the
programme for the Harmsworth Athletics Club Golden Jubilee dinner dance
held at the hotel in 1952.
Click here for further pages. |
LICENSEE LIST
FOWLER Robert 1840-41+ (age 52 in 1841 )
PINE W R Mr 1856+HUBBARD Stephen 1867+
THIMIN Carl Albert 1911-38+ (age 55 in 1911)
https://pubwiki.co.uk/RoyalStar.shtml
Census
From the Post Office Directory 1867
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