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Norfolk Resort Hotel

Built in 1824 as the Norfolk Arms

Reproduced with permission from the Encyclopaedia of Brighton by Tim Carder, 1990

Please note that this text is an extract from a reference work written in 1990. As a result, some of the content may not reflect recent research, changes and events.

The Norfolk, one of Brighton's leading hotels, was built in 1824 as the Norfolk Arms, a three-storey inn rising to four floors in the centre, with a balcony and verandah on Ionic columns. In 1864-6 however, it was entirely rebuilt by Horatio Goulty in a Renaissance style with five storeys and iron balconies; note the Norfolk lion head figurines on the second floor balconies.
In 1969 AVP Industries, having been refused permission to replace it with a block of flats, sold the Norfolk to the Feld family. Now known as the Norfolk Resort, and a listed building, the hotel underwent a £2 million refurbishment in the early 1980s and has 117 rooms plus the Rafters night-club in the superstructure. An indoor swimming-pool opened in November 1985, the first hotel pool in the town centre, while at the rear a development of rooms around an ornamental lake opened in September 1985 on the site of the hotel garage. This site was originally occupied by Young's Livery Stables, and leads to Norfolk Buildings via an arched gateway with a horse-head figure and the inscription 'Rebuilt 1875'.

Any numerical cross-references in the text above refer to resources in the Sources and Bibliography section of the Encyclopaedia of Brighton by Tim Carder

The following resource(s) is quoted as a general source for the information above: {2,44,123}

The Norfolk hotel, c.1900.

From the private collection of Tony Drury

Norfolk Hotel

Photo by Tony Mould

This page was added on 16/07/2007.

Comments about this page

Although Tim Carder wrote of the Norfolk: "An indoor swimming-pool opened in November 1985, the first hotel pool in the town centre", there was actually one in existence long before that.The Grand Hotel, opened in 1864, acquired the adjacent Hobdens Baths, complete with indoor swimming pool, around 1900. (See details of Hobdens Baths on this website).

By Alan Hobden (10/06/2008)

My mum, Ellen Lake, worked at the Norfolk Hotel. Not sure when, I presume between the wars. I don't suppose there is anyone around who worked with her.

By Elaine Thompson (19/05/2010)

I am researching The Norfolk Hotel having just learned it is where my Mother also worked as a teenager. It could have been anywhere between "say" 1945 and 1948 but only for a few months. Joyce Yvonne Forgham, sadly died here in Spain in 2007. I would love to hear from anybody who may have known my mother.

By Sandy (07/09/2010)

I worked at Norfolk Hotel around 1987-1988 period at the roof top restaurant. I met a young man called Wayne who came to work as job experience around the Easter period. I would like to know if anyone knows his full name - I would love to get in touch with him.

By Rose (23/02/2011)

Does anyone know anyone called Wayne that worked at the Hotel around 1987-1988, I need his full name, it's important thank you

By Roger (23/02/2011)

I am french and I worked two years at Norfolk Hotel, 1973-74. It was great and very nice people I worked with. The owner was Mrs Feld, restaurant manager, Mr Lamb, Eddie was the italian headwaiter and it was a good team and thank you all to have given me the opportunity that adventure in Brighton where I met my wife. Many thanks to all of you. I will never forget.

By John Loriaux (29/04/2011)

The Norfolk Hotel is where a famous scandal took place involving Lady Jane Ellenborough's aldulterous affair with Prince Schwartzenberg - resulting in her divorce from Lord Ellenborough. The witnesses were hotel servants Recount of the court case: http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1830/apr/06/lord-ellen-boroughs-divorce-bill About Lady Jane: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Digby Recommended Book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scandalous-Life-Biography-Jane-Digby/dp/1857024699

By Lois (31/08/2011)

In 1897, a Miss Braine was presented with a carriage clock by the staff of The Norfolk Hotel, Brighton. She was born in Melbourne, Australia,1881, married in Sydney 1899 worked on the Empress of Ireland 1906. Ring a bell with anyone?

By Laurie Kirkbride (29/09/2011)