History of V&A
The rich history of the Victoria & Albert Guesthouse is a testament to the enduring spirit of Mount Victoria and the vision of those who have contributed to its legacy over the years.
Mount Victoria is brimming with historic charm and natural attractions. Originally a stockade for convict chain-gangs, and later an important staging post for Cobb & Co coaches, the town became known as Mount Victoria in the 1860s when the railway came to town.
The Victoria & Albert Guesthouse – was the first Hotel built in Mount Victoria and is one of the grandest guesthouses in the Blue Mountains. With its imposing street view and shear grandness the Victoria & Albert Guesthouse is the jewel in the historic town of Mount Victoria. With such a rich Australian history of over 155 years this grand historic property and its historic gardens have experienced so many moments and served hundreds of thousands of people over this time. But let’s go back to where it all started…..
Mount Victoria started its life as a stockade in the 1830’s for convicts toiling on the Old Bathurst Road, Mount Victoria was originally named ‘One Tree Hill’ in 1834. The original “one Tree Hill “ is located at the top of Mt Piddington in Mt Victoria: it is the highest point in the Blue Mountains Ranges (being 1111m above sea level).
The town became known as Mount Victoria in the late 1860’s once the Railway Station and Public School were built. When the railway came to One Tree Hill (an early name for Mount Victoria), the road traffic declined and was taken over by the railway, by-passing the village of Hartley, which gradually became increasingly isolated.
The influx of people to One Tree Hill because of the railway construction work, aroused the interest of Mary Finn of Hartley and Henry Bell of Sydney. They both felt it would be to their advantage to acquire land close to the site of the proposed railway station.
Mrs Mary Finns family, who were prominent property owners and business people at Hartley. Mary Finn acquired by Conditional Sale 18/5/1865, 40 acres which included Station Street and the land on which the Royal Hotel (V&A) was built.
In 1867, when the railway had reached as far as Weathboard (Wentworth Falls) Mrs Finn applied for the building of the Royal Hotel. In 1868, after part of the land required for the railway had been resumed, the purchase was finalised. By 1868 the Royal Hotel had been erected on Mrs Finns land and the first licensee was to William Orbell reputed to have been ‘the fastest whip in the west’. In a plan dated 1869 the building shown near station street are: the railway station, the stationmaster’s cottage, the post office, The Royal Hotel (now V&A), one tree Hill Inn and the public school. There are also shown 3 stores and a number of huts.
Mary Finn did not benefit greatly from the prime piece of real estate. She had to mortgage the land, including the Royal Hotel, almost as soon as soon as the purchase was finalised The entire property was sold a few years later to a group of speculators including William Richman Piddington and his associates, Milson & Roxburgh. These three preceded to sub-divide the land and sell it off in lots, the Royal Hotel was not sold. It was not until after the death of Piddington in 1889 that the hotel was sold to Mary & Jessie Gazzard. Who retained the ownership for 10 years. Then selling to Nicholas Delaney, a familiar figure in Mount Victoria , as he operated a butchery just across the street.
Delaney purchased the Royal Hotel (V&A) in 1899 - 1906. By then the business interests were well established throughout the Mountains, with a shop and a butchery in Blackheath and butchers and bakers carts running to Katoomba and as far field as Wentworth Falls.
In 1906 Delaney sold the Royal (V&A) to H.P. Mathews, who held the licence himself for a couple of years, but then the property passed to A.A. Stewart, who in 1912 sold the property to an enterprising hotelier by the name of W.J. Lees.
By 1914 Lees hadcompletely rebuilt the old Royal Hotel and renamed it Hotel Mount Victoria.
He operated the establishment himself until 1930s. During the decade he purchased nearby Imperial Hotel, making an extensive complex in the little town which included a 9- hole golf links across the railway line for use for guests from both hotels. Coaching services to Jenolan Caves were featured in the advertisements aswell.
W.M. Joseph Lees, who was the proprietor until 1943, when he sold the property to the church of England Gramar School for wartime evacuation of boys from Shore School. When the emergency accommodation was no longer necessary the premises were used for a time as a convalescent home for World War 2 veterans. And this is when JF Kennedy Visited toward the end of 1943.
During the 1950s the building reverted to its role as Mt Victoria Hotel, but in later years declined in standard and was badly in need of renovation.
The Beutel family purchased the property in 1972 and, began some major restoration, and Bob and Irene Reid continued the good work when they took over about 1975. Gradually the old Hotel was given a new lease of life became the popular guest house and restaurant named” The Victoria & Albert” which it remains today.
From 1982 Vas an accountant bought it and again the property became very run down
2015 Wayne Thompson and his wife Tanya bought the property – Tania as a teenager had worked at the guesthouse and had always admired the property. The couple did a bit of work to get it to a level that it resumed as a guesthouse.
And in 2022 Shane McLucas and Michael Sheargold and their daughter Frankie purchased the Victoria & Albert Guesthouse, bringing their passion for hospitality and commitment to excellence to the forefront. With their keen eye for detail and unwavering dedication to providing exceptional service, they continued the legacy of the guesthouse, further enhancing its reputation.
The Victoria & Albert Guesthouse flourished, welcoming guests from near and far to experience its timeless elegance and warm hospitality. Their innovative approach to guest experiences and commitment to culinary excellence have earned the guesthouse a reputation as one of the finest establishments in the region.
Today, as proud custodians of the Victoria & Albert Guesthouse, Shane and Michael remain dedicated to honoring its storied past while embracing the opportunities of the future. Their passion for preserving history, coupled with their forward-thinking vision, ensures that the guesthouse continues to enchant and inspire all who walk through its doors.
As you step into the Victoria & Albert Guesthouse, you become part of a legacy that spans generations—a legacy built on a foundation of hospitality, heritage, and heartfelt service.
Welcome to our home away from home, where every moment is infused with the magic of Mount Victoria's rich history and the promise of new adventures yet to unfold.
Originally built – And Names
1867 - 1872 – The Royal Hotel – One Tree Hill
1872 - 1914 –The Royal Hotel – Mt Victoria
1914 – Rebuild of the property The Royal Hotel – Mt Victoria
1914 - 1943 – The Royal Hotel – Mt Victoria
1943 - 1945 – Convalescent home for World War 2 veterans
1946 - 1952 – Shore Grammar School Boarders
1952 - 1975 – Convalescent Home
1975 - 2022 – The Victoria & Albert Guest House
Original Owners
1872 – 1874 – W.M. Pullen
1874 -1879 – J.L. Meades
1879 – 1881 – Ann Augusta Meades
1881-1883 – James Holmes
1883 – 1889 – Charles Manning
1889 – 1890 - W.M. Stokes
1890 – 1892 – Nicholas Delaney
1892 – 1895 – Hugh Wallace
1895 – 1899 – W.M. Andrew Milne
1899 – 1906 – H.T. Delaney
1906 – 1908 – H.P. Mathews
1908 – 1912 – A.A. Stewart
1912- 1943 – W.J. Lees
1943 – 1945 – Convalescent home for World War 2 veterans
1946 – 1952 - Shore Grammar School Boarders
1952 – 1975 - Convalescent Home
1975 - 1987 – The Victoria & Albert Guest House
1987 – 1995 – Bob & Irene Reid
1995 – 2017 – Vass Accountant
2017 - 2022 – Wayne & Tanya Thompson
2022 – Shane McLucas & Michael Sheargold