The hotel was built to cater for an increasing number of travellers to the region both by rail and sea, and was advertised such in our earliest brochures: "It possesses the great advantage of being in close proximity to the Millbay Terminus of the Great Western Docks, where the ocean liners embark and disembark passengers and merchandise from all parts of the world."

Millbay Station, built in 1849, was situated directly opposite the site for the hotel. It was nicknamed "the Shabby Shed", although if it still existed today, it would probably be considered a unique and ornate building. Today, Plymouth Pavilions stands in it's place.

When the need for the hotel was first recognised, a group of railway officials were appointed as the original Board of Directors, and selected "honest John" of Messers Hall and Pethick to construct this large and luxurious hotel. The cost totalled £40,000 including the excavation work required to clear the site where the Saracens Head Public House and Millbay Grove Terrace once stood. The hotel's function rooms are still named after some of the men orginally involved with the design and running of the elegant building.

 

 

Looking back through the first of the Minute Books written during the board meetings in 1862, it is fascinating to note the changes. The Bed and Breakfast tariff seems particularly reasonable at 7s 6d (or 37.5 pence), but a cold bath would cost you 1s (5pence) and your dog as much as 3s 6d (17.5pence) per day. The manager earned a staggering £125.00 per annum.

Few of the places of interest advertised in the brochure have altered. The Barbican, Burrator Reservoir, Eddystone Lighthouse, Mount Edgecumbe, Hoe foreshore and the Dockyards were all featured, although Plymouth's Pier and Pavillion have disappeared since the opening of the hotel in 1863.

A point of interest for many present day visitors to the hotel remains the imposing tower, which can still be seen above the modern surrounding buildings. Inquisitive guests are keen to find out the reason for the tower's existence and it's original purpose. It seems it was built purely for decoration, although the porters would often run up the tower to watch the liners arriving in dock. They would then greet the passengers, escorting them and their luggage to the hotel.

In 1940, as the world war was escalating, fear was growing in the hearts of local people, they were only too aware of the city's importance to the enemy. With the large Naval base, it was ineviatable that this port would soon become a valuable target, this proved to be the case. Much of Plymouth was destroyed, indeed George Street, now New George Street was entirely flattened, but 'The Duke' remained untouched. It is rumoured that the hotel's tower was used by the Luftwaffe as a point of reference. This was because the upper windows were angled and reflected the moon light, one of the only lights visible during the city wide blackouts. Bombs were never far away, many windows were damaged during the Luftwaffe's campaign and the cottages which stood to the rear of the hotel were totally destroyed in March 1941. 'The Duke' fortunately never suffered a direct hit, maybe due only to the windows in the tower.

 

One person who remembers the devastation which took place throughout the city, was the late Mr. Jim Northcott, who was company secretary for over 50 years. He recalled the hotel as a boy, when his father was one of the original Directors. His memories were numerous and vivid. He recalls the explosion of two bombs, directly outside the hotel which blew in all the windows at the front of the building, but fortunately caused no structural damage.

Despite Hitler's bombs, dances carried on in the hotel's Ballroom, every Wednesday and Saturday. They proved to be a welcome break from the pressure and fear that had become so part of life for the people of Plymouth. American servicemen and local people alike attended the functions, and subsequently weddings took place for those that had met one night on 'The Dukes' dancefloor. Mr. Northcott recalled the air raid sirens sounded one night, however the band played on! We also have a letter from a former member of staff, who married an American serviceman, who remembers people sheltering in the basement corridors during a bombing raid. And being entertained by the likes of Ann Ziegler, Webster Booth and other artistes who were staying at the hotel, while performing on stage at the Palace Theatre in nearby Union Street.

The end of the war brought the return of some kind of normality, and with some of Plymouth's hotels having been destroyed during 'The Blitz', 'The Duke' became busier than ever before. This brought it's own problems as food supplies were short and many items were still rationed.

In 1976 however, the hotel was to face threats of a different nature. A local newspaper article read, "Plymouth's 114 year old Duke of Cornwall Hotel which kept the tourism flag flying in Queen Victoria's reign and defied the wrath of Hitler's bombs, is in danger of being pulled down." This was due to a lack of car parking space in the area surrounding the hotel. Sadly this meant the Victorian Terraced gardens had to go, in order to make room for a car park for hotel use, in 1987. In 1988 the local media reported that "Plymouth's last grand Victorian hotel is up for sale", this news caused anger and dismay among the local population, fearing what the future would hold for their much loved hotel.

 

At last, in 1988 the future of this magnificent example of English heritage, as described by Sir John Betjeman "as one of the finest examples of Victorian gothic architecture he had ever seen" was secured and given a new lease of life. A refurbishment programme encompassing every area of the hotel began breathing life back into the some what tired building. In 1990 the fascinating and splendid exterior was exposed to it's full glory by extensive sandblasting. In doing so it exposed unseen original engravings and special features carved in to the 26 different types of stone used. The exterior is a true marvel and it's detail and features stop many passer by in their tracks.

The 'wheel' has now turned full circle and 'The Duke' now plays as great a role in Plymouth as it ever did. It stands proud in the knowledge that it has survived all that has been thrown it's way. And now sits amongst a thriving community, providing accommodation and hospitality to visitors from around the world. The ocean liners have been replaced with cross channel ferries and Plymouth Pavillions attracts thousand of conference delegates and concert attendees.

 

'The Duke' is as strong as ever, with it's careful and sympathetic restoration and refurbishment, it has maintained all of it's orginal charm, elegance and unique atmosphere, which can only be found at Plymouth's most individual hotel, 'The Duke'.