The Petersham Hotel

The Petersham Hotel is between Richmond Hill’s Common and Petersham Common, two once-contiguous areas where grazing animals roamed freely across manor boundaries. In 1639, a piece of land was granted to Francis Barnard, stipulating that he maintain a fence between these commons.

Over time, the landscape underwent significant changes. The Bull’s Head tavern was replaced by The Wick villa in 1775, and the former stables now house the Rose of York pub. Nightingale Cottage, dating back to around 1650, later transformed into Ashburnham Lodge and was acquired by the Richmond Hill Hotel Company in 1863.

Architect John Giles was pivotal in designing the Hotel, which was completed in 1865. It gained fame for its “florid Italian Gothic” Style, characterised by a prominent tower. Noteworthy features within the Hotel include a magnificent Portland stone staircase adorned with ceiling paintings by Ferdinando Galli.

Throughout its history, the Hotel underwent various name changes, transitioning from The Mansion to The Mansion Hotel, New Star and Garter, Star and Garter, Nightingale Hall (during Bank of England ownership), and ultimately settling on The Star and Garter Hotel, which was later changed to The Petersham Hotel in 1978.

The Hotel also saw multiple renovations and extensions, such as adding a river-facing restaurant in 1957 and a bedroom extension in 1971-2.

A 1902 Act preserved the meadows opposite the Hotel and offered a famous view that has been the subject of numerous paintings by renowned artists. Captain Vancouver and Colin Dare, who acquired the Hotel in 1978, were particularly captivated by this view. It’s worth noting that Colin Dare also owned The Richmond Gate Hotel, located adjacent to Richmond Park Gates.

Today, The Petersham Hotel retains its Victorian charm and picturesque surroundings and remains under the ownership of the Dare family.