Grand Times

Listed Grade II, the Grand Hotel building was built in 1872. Some believe it was commissioned as a summer residence, by the Duke of Northumberland, for the Duchess and that the Grand Hotel assumed its current role as a hotel around 1877. As the finest luxury hotel at the coast, the Grand Hotel was noted for its magnificent sweeping staircase. The hotel benefitted from the growth in Tynemouth as a seaside resort during the Victorian period and was well established during the early 20th Century when the attractiveness of Tynemouth encouraged an influx of visitors.

During World War One the site was used to accommodate army officers. The officers paid little attention to the grandeur of their venue and even less to maintaining it. The site was neglected and closure and refurbishment were required before reopening to the public in 1922. The Grand Hotel was featured in the prestigious Egon Ronay’s Good Food Guide in the early 1960s but has always been known for its quality food offer. In 1993 The Grand Hotel was bought and following major renovation The Grand was once again restored to a state of splendor and elegance combining historic features with all the facilities of a modern luxury hotel and a modern setting for sampling the heritage of the coast.

In its time, the hotel has attracted numerous celebrities including, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Stan Laurel already had strong connections with Tynemouth. Between 1897 and 1902 he lived at Dockwray Square, North Shields and attended The King’s School, Tynemouth before moving to Glasgow with his parents. The comedy duo first stayed at the Grand Hotel on Thursday 28th July 1932. They returned again on Wednesday 26th February 1947, for a civic reception with the Mayor of Tynemouth, while appearing at the Newcastle Empire Theatre. Their last stay at the Grand Hotel was from Monday 17th March 1952, for two weeks, while they were once again performing at the Newcastle Empire. The hotel has a room named after the duo.

Grand Hotel visitors include:Laurel and Hardy, Dame Vera Lynn, Mike and Bernie Winters, Stanley Baker, Margaret Rutherford, Dave Allen, Stephen Tompkinson, John Middleton, Sir Bob Geldof, Sir Bobby Robson.

Hope House – Battery Observation Post. During World War One, 47A Percy Gardens was owned by the War Office and used as a command centre for coastal defence. It had an observation and range-finding post built into the roof to control the Tyne guns. Around 1916 a six-storey tower was constructed at the back of the property and acted as a command centre for the two Tyne gun turrets. The tower and house were retained until World War Two, being offices for the fortress commander and staff officer during and after the Munich Crisis of 1938, when war with Germany appeared imminent. The site is now a private residence.