Seabank Hotel
Encyclopedia
The Seabank Hotel is an historic hotel located in Porthcawl
, southern Wales
. The hotel is located on the corner of the front Esplanade and Picton Avenue overlooking the sea. The current building is dated to the mid 1930s. The distinctive white building with its red tiled roof, along with the Grand Pavilion
several metres to the east, is one of the town's most prominent landmarks. The hotel has 67 rooms.
Around 1870, a larger house was built on the site and was named "The Seaview Bank". It was bought by the prominent Brogden family and John Brogden
, an important figure in the town's development in the late nineteenth century (who gave his name to John Street) simplified the name to "Sea Bank House". This building was built with grey stonework and over time the building developed moss on the walls around the French windows. It had a prominent Italianate style tower at the front and a quaint little garden was once located at the front side of the hotel.
Around 1890, the family fell into financial difficulties and it became Porthcawl College and was run by Reverend E.J. Newell of Oxford University until 1907 when it was purchased as a private residence by John Elias.
In the 1930s a new structure and modern concrete facade was built to and it was renamed the "Seabank Hydro" hotel. During World War II
the hotel was used as a base by the military and the 49th (West Riding) Reconnaissance Regiment was formed at the hotel in 1942. In 1943, US troops of the 107 Field Artillery Battalion of the 28th Infantry Division were stationed at the hotel, followed by the 75th Infantry Division in 1944 to train before the Battle of the Bulge
.
In 1945 the hotel underwent major refurbishment and again in the 1990s.
as a 3-star hotel. The rooms range from single, twin and double rooms, to adjoining rooms and two four poster bridal suites.
Historically the hotel has been used extensively for conferences and important business meetings. It also hosts wedding receptions and hen or stag parties.
The "Smuggler's Bar" and the "Garden Restaurant" seats up to 96 people and overlooks the Bristol Channel
with views towards Somerset
and Devon
at the front of the hotel. Every Sunday lunchtime the restaurant hosts the Sunday Carvery.
Porthcawl
Porthcawl is a town on the south coast of Wales in the county borough of Bridgend, 25 miles west of the capital city, Cardiff and 19 miles southeast of Swansea...
, southern Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. The hotel is located on the corner of the front Esplanade and Picton Avenue overlooking the sea. The current building is dated to the mid 1930s. The distinctive white building with its red tiled roof, along with the Grand Pavilion
Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl
The Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl, Bridgend County Borough, Wales, was opened in 1932. It is well-known for its octagonal dome and striking frontage. Originally intended as a Palm Court for hosting Tea Dances, Balls and Civic functions, the Pavilion is an extremely versatile venue.Construction of...
several metres to the east, is one of the town's most prominent landmarks. The hotel has 67 rooms.
History
The hotel originally began around 1860 as a smaller building named the New House and was built by George Derent, an architect who designed John Street in Porthcawl.Around 1870, a larger house was built on the site and was named "The Seaview Bank". It was bought by the prominent Brogden family and John Brogden
John Brogden
John Gilbert Brogden is an Australian businessman and former politician, who was Leader of the Opposition in New South Wales from 2002 to 2005...
, an important figure in the town's development in the late nineteenth century (who gave his name to John Street) simplified the name to "Sea Bank House". This building was built with grey stonework and over time the building developed moss on the walls around the French windows. It had a prominent Italianate style tower at the front and a quaint little garden was once located at the front side of the hotel.
Around 1890, the family fell into financial difficulties and it became Porthcawl College and was run by Reverend E.J. Newell of Oxford University until 1907 when it was purchased as a private residence by John Elias.
In the 1930s a new structure and modern concrete facade was built to and it was renamed the "Seabank Hydro" hotel. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the hotel was used as a base by the military and the 49th (West Riding) Reconnaissance Regiment was formed at the hotel in 1942. In 1943, US troops of the 107 Field Artillery Battalion of the 28th Infantry Division were stationed at the hotel, followed by the 75th Infantry Division in 1944 to train before the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
.
In 1945 the hotel underwent major refurbishment and again in the 1990s.
Interior
The hotel has 67 rooms and is listed by the AAThe Automobile Association
The Automobile Association , a British motoring association founded in 1905 was demutualised in 1999 to become a private limited company which currently provides car insurance, driving lessons, breakdown cover, loans and motoring advice, and other services...
as a 3-star hotel. The rooms range from single, twin and double rooms, to adjoining rooms and two four poster bridal suites.
Historically the hotel has been used extensively for conferences and important business meetings. It also hosts wedding receptions and hen or stag parties.
The "Smuggler's Bar" and the "Garden Restaurant" seats up to 96 people and overlooks the Bristol Channel
Bristol Channel
The Bristol Channel is a major inlet in the island of Great Britain, separating South Wales from Devon and Somerset in South West England. It extends from the lower estuary of the River Severn to the North Atlantic Ocean...
with views towards Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
and Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
at the front of the hotel. Every Sunday lunchtime the restaurant hosts the Sunday Carvery.