A Pint of History Please

Exploring the History of Ceredigion's Pubs

Details of pub: Belle Vue, Aberystwyth

Other names: Belle Vue Royal Hotel
Address/Location: 23 Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth SY23 2BA
OS Grid Ref: SN5830081880
Opened: c. 1824      
Closed: open 2017       Type: Hotel
Summary: This was formed by combining a number of lodging houses into one large hotel, soon after 1824. Initially it might have been an appendage to the Talbot inn but became independent by 1840.
The addition of 'Royal' to the name probably means that it was the place where the Royal Mail coach stopped in Aberystwyth; there is no evidence that a member of the British Royal family stayed there.
Charles Marshall, the licensee, had a stables in Terrace Road where the Coliseum was later built.



Notes: 1813 - 1894
Bundle of deeds and documents for the Belle Vue Hotel,
Ceredigion Archives, ABM/SE/4/2/3
1825
First appearance of the Belle Vue on the St Michael's Rates assessments (it did not appear in 1823 or 1824).
Ceredigion Archives, CPR/ASTM/123-128
1844
licensee: Charles Marshall,
source: Pigot and Co., 1844
1848
'The Belle Vue is situate on the Marine Terrace, and is conducted by Mr Charles Marshal, late of Cheltenham; it consists of three houses thrown into one, connected in suits of apartments adapted for large or small families, and enjoying all the advantages of an uninterrupted sea view. Attached is a spacious and commodious coffee-room; like-wise a commercial room. The Offices close at hand comprise lock-up coach houses, and excellent stabling. [Also] attached is a well conducted posting department, and also a coach office.'
(Morgan, T.O., (1848), New Guide to Aberystwyth and its Environs, p. 18-19)

1850
Belle Vue, Marshall, Charles, hotel & horse owner, 20-21 Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Slater's directory, 1850)

1851
Belle Vue, Marshall, Charles, hotel proprietor & farmer, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Census, (1851)

1858
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, Marshall, Charles, hotel proprietor, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Morgan, T.O., New Guide to Aberystwyth and its Environs, (3rd Edition), p. 178, (1858), advert)

1863
Bell Vue Royal Hotel, Elizabeth, Marshall, hotel proprietor, 20 Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Morgan, T.O., Aberdovey Guide and Handbook), p. 106, (1863), advert)
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, Pell, Jonathan, hotel proprietor, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, recently enlarged, (Morgan, T.O., New Guide to Aberystwyth and its Environs, (4th edition), p. 150, (1864)

1864
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, Pell, Jonathan, hotel proprietor, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, recently enlarged, (Morgan, T.O., (1864), New Guide to Aberystwyth and its Environs, (4th edition), p. 150, (1864), advert)

1865 (about)
A Lodge of Freemasons was established at Aberystwyth and first met in the Bell Vue.
Cambrian News 16.2.1882 (Obituary of G. T. Smith, the first Worshipful Master.)
1868
Licensee: Jonathan Pell
Slater’s Directory, 1868

1869
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, Jonathan Pell, hotel proprietor, Aberystwyth, (Morgan, T.O., Guide to Aberystwyth and its Environs (5th edition), p. 167, (1869), advert)

1871
licensee: Jonathan Pell
source: Post Office directory, 1871

1874
Bell Vue, Pell, Jonathan, hotel proprietor, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, established half a century, (Anon, Morgan's New Guide to Aberystwyth, (1874)

1875
Belle Vue, Pell, Jonathan, Hotel and posting house, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth. Additional Information: Belle Vue Royal Hotel,.Jonathan Pell, Marine terrace. This establishment is delightfully situated in the centre of the Marine terrace. All the public and private sitting rooms command uninterrupted views of the sea & promenade. Ladies' coffee room free of charge. An omnibus from the hotel attends every train
(Worrall's Directory, 1875)

1876
"THE ABERYSTWYTH LODGE. 111 The eleventh anniversary meeting of the members of the Aberystwyth Lodge, No. 1072, of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons was held in the Masonic Rooms at the Belle Vue Hotel on Thursday. The brethren assembled at 4 p.m., when the Lodge was opened according to immemorial custom by the W.M., Bro. Harner, P. Prov. G. Supt. Works. The business of the Lodge was transacted, and the R. W. thj Provincial Grand Master of the Western Division of South Wales. Bro. Major Lloyd Philipps, of Mabws, then pro- ceeded to the installation of the Worshipful Master Elect, Bro. A J. Hughes, P. Prov. Grand Sword Bearer. " AO 9 Dec 1876
[n.b. 'by immemorial custom' = since 1865!]
1880
Belle Vue, Hickling, Thomas F., hotel manager, 20 Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Slater's Directory, 1880)

1881
ABERYSTWYTH. BELLE VUE ROYAL HOTEL, (CENTRE OF MARINE TERRACE)
Under New Management
This old established County House possesses comfort not to be surpassed at any Hotel on the Welsh Coast. It embraces spacious and elegant COFFEE and DINING ROOMS for Ladies and Gentlemen, Drawing and Private Sitting Rooms, also a large and well-appointed COMMERCIAL ROOM, all of which face the Sea. Elegant Billiard Room, (2 Tables). Smoking and Chess Rooms.
The Wines and Spirits are of the best and oldest Vintages and Brands.
TABLE D'HOTE, 6.30 P.M. DAILY, SUNDAYS, 4.0 P.M. OMNIBUS MEETS ALL TRAINS.
CHARGES MODERATE - TARIFF OX APPLICATION.
WINE VAULTS AND LUNCHEON BAR I (NOW OPEN)
Hot and Cold Luncheons Daily on Shortest Notice.
CHOICE WINES AND SPIRITS AT LOWEST PRICES (Wholesale and Retail),
Agent for ALLSOPP & SONS' Fine Burton Ales.
Casks at Brewer s prices delivered.
N.B. ENTRANCE FROM TERRACE ROAD.
EDWARD HAMER, PROPRIETOR.
Cambrian News 7.10.1881

1884
Belle Vue, Hamer, Edward, Lodging house, 20 Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Kelly's directory, 1884)

1884
Belle Vue, Palmer, W.H., hotel proprietor, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Guide to Aberystwyth and its Environs, (1884)

1890s
Abstract of deeds, Ceredigion Archives, SMB/A 28 + 33

1900 (about)
Belle Vue Hotel, Palmer, W.H., Hotellier, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Peeps at Picturesque Wales , p. 12, (1900 (about), advert)

1901
Belle Vue Hotel, Palmer, W.H., hotel proprietor, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Ward Lock's guide to Aberystwyth etc, adverts section, p. 2, (1901), advert)

1902
Belle Vue Hotel, Palmer, W.H., hotel proprietor, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Anon, A Souvenir of Aberystwyth, p. 37, (1902), advert)

1903
Belle Vue Hotel, Palmer, W.H., hotel proprietor, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (May, George W., Aberystwyth, p. 1, (1903), advert)

1905
Petty Sessions: Aberystwyth; number on list: 6; name of premises: Belle Vue Hotel; Parish / Place: Aberystwyth; Licensee: Palmer, William, H.; owner or tenant : owner ; registered owner : W H Palmer, Queen's Hotel; free or tied: free; tied to: [blank]; type of licence: full; on or off licence: on; number of licenced days per week: 7. (1905 list)

1926
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, anon, hotel manager, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide and Souvenir, p. a2, , (1926), advert, photograph)

1934
Bell Vue Royal Hotel, Anon, hotel manager, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, same owner as Ivy Bush, Carmarthen, Lion, Machynlleth, (Anon, Official Guide and Souvenir, p. 81, (1934), advert, photograph)

1935
Bell Vue Hotel, Mrs Marion Edward, Bell-Vue Royal Hotel Ltd., hotel managing director, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, also Ivy Bush, Carmarthen and Lion Hotel, Machynlleth, (Anon, Official Guide and Souvenir, p. 83, (1935), advert, photograph)

1937?
Belle Vue, Mrs Edwards, Marion, Belle-Vue Royal Hotel Ltd.,, hotel managing director, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide and Souvenir, p. 77, (1937?), advert, photograph)

1940s
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, Anon, Hancock's, hotel manager, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide, p. 35, (1940s), advert)

1940
Bell Vue Hotel, Mrs Marion Edwards, Belle Vue Hotels Ltd., , hotel managing director, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, also Ivy Bush, Carmarthen and Lion Hotel, Machynlleth, (Anon, Aberystwyth, Official List , p. 26, (1940), advert)

1947
Bell Vue Hotel, Hancocks Hotel, hotel proprietor, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, extensive alterations now being carried out, (Anon, Aberystwyth, Where the Mountains come down to the Sea, p. 21, (1947), advert)

1950s
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, Anon, William Hancock and Co. Ltd., hotel proprietor, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Aberystwyth, Where Sunshine Awaits you , p. 34, (1950s), advert)

1950s
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, Edmonds, R.C., William Hancock and Co., Ltd., (Cardiff), hotel manager, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide, p. 33, (1950s), advert)

1950s
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, James, D.C., hotel manager, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Aberystwyth, Where Sunshine Awaits you , p. 34, (1950s), advert)

1950s
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, James, D.C., Hancock's, hotel manager, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth,
(Anon, Official Guide, p. 28, (1950s), advert)

1950s
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, Anon, William Hancock and Co., Ltd., (Cardiff), hotel manager, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, new grill bar,
(Anon, Official Guide, p. 33, (1960s), advert, photograph)

1956
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, Edmonds, R.C., William Hancock and Co., Ltd., (Cardiff), hotel manager, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth
(Anon, Official Guide, p. 35, (1956), advert)

1958
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, Edmonds, R.C., William Hancock and Co., Ltd., (Cardiff), hotel manager, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth
(Anon, Official Guide, p. 34, (1958), advert)

1959
Belle Vue Royal Hotel, Edmonds, R.C., William Hancock and Co., Ltd., (Cardiff), hotel manager, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth
(Anon, Official Guide, p. 33, (1959), advert)

no date
Photographs of estate agent properties
10. Aberystwyth, Belle Vue Royal Hotel
Ceredigion Archives ADX/312/1


Additional information