Click on the image to see an enlarged map of the area.
The town of St Leonards was created by the well known London builder James Burton between 1827 and 1837. His son, the architect Decimus Burton added further building in the 1850s and 60s. James Burton conceived the town as a brand-new seaside resort for the wealthy and it became instantly popular with royalty and aristocracy. The town prospered and expanded until it merged to become the County Borough of Hastings and St. Leonards.
The original St Leonards, planned and built by Burton, is the area centred around the picturesque park known as St Leonards Gardens, which lies directly behind the ROYAL VICTORIA HOTEL. The Hotel was completed in 1828.
CROWN HOUSE was originally built by Burton for his own residence but was given up by him to the Princess (later Queen) Victoria when she stayed here in 1834. Behind the Hotel stand the ASSEMBLY ROOMS - now the Masonic Hall. This was the centre of all social activity - balls, receptions, card parties and banquets. For the latter the food was prepared in the Hotel and brought across the road through an underground tunnel. Originally flanked to east and west by a pair of graceful villas, only the East Villa remains.
ST LEONARDS GARDENS were originally the Subscription Gardens and private to residents. Later were purchased by the Council and made public.
THE CLOCK HOUSE is a fine Gothic villa presenting three storeys to the park but only one to the roadway behind. The clock in the tower was made by George III's clockmaker. MAZE HILLis lined with striking 19th Century/Gothic villas and is named from the maze which once occupied the top end of the park.
The original service area of Burton's town was MERCATORIA, the tradesmen's quarter, and Lavatoria (as it was then known), the laundrywomen's quarter. In Mercatoria you can see the Horse and Groom - St Leonards first pub - built mainly for the benefit of the army of building workers on the site.
ALLEGRIA with its fine octagonal sitting room was Burton's own residence until his death. GLOUCESTER LODGE is a fine castellated villa named after its first occupant, Princess Sophia of Gloucester.
NORTH LODGE. Built originally as a toll-gate it spans the road. The room directly above the roadway was the study of the great Victorian writer of adventure stories, Sir Henry Rider Haggard. Looking down over the beach from West Hill Road stands the BURTON FAMILY TOMB in the shape of a small pyramid where the Architect himself, his wife and several members of his family lie. ST LEONARDS PARISH CHURCH. This is a post-war church replacing Burton's church which was destroyed in the war. It has a maritime theme throughout
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This page last updated: 09/05/2003