Rosebery Hotel history

The Rosebery Hotel, has been trading as a guest house since before 1913. There have been many guests from all over the world over the last hundred years. Including the cast of Hi De Hi, Darth Vader (yes, the Green Cross code man), Primal Scream, Prunella Scales, Scottish Opera and Royal ballet, just to name a few. The hotel has had guests of every nationality, from every part of the world. 

The previous owners ran the hotel from 1977 to August 2011, before that Mrs Jackson ran the hotel as a lodging house, with long term guests and then as a hotel for 30 years. We have been unable to establish who the owners were from 1913 – to the 1940’s.

We have been currently renovating the hotel and when a door panel was removed from room 19, we found this. It actually says 'October 1950, I am wondering where I will be in 2010'. The errie thing was, this was found literally 51 years ago, to the month! 

We have established, from the previous owners, that they have never removed the panel off the door, since accquisition in 1988. The previous ladt who owned the house Miss Gibson, had done nothing to the property since her purchase in 1955. So from these facts, we have ascertained that this was in fact written in 1950.

We wonder, where this person is today? 

Since the hotel was built, there have been many changes in the surrounding area, including the Cradlewell, Jesmond Vale and Jesmond Dene. The hotel is number 2 Rosebery Crescent, all the houses in-between 42 and number 2 were demolished in 1960’s for a new Jesmond Road to be constructed. The Minories convent was also demolished for the new road. The construction of the Cradlewell Bypass finally started in 1993 and finished several years later.

The plans for the Cradlewell bypass went to three public enquiries, sadly, it did get the go ahead and parts of Jesmond Dene were destroyed forever, for saving 30 seconds off a journey time and a cost of £18million.

The history of the area of Jesmond Vale and Jesmond Dene is attributed to Lord Armstrong, who was a an inventor, Engineer, Lawyer, shipping magnate, arms manufacturer, philanthropist. He was also the inventor of hydro electric power. Lord William Armstrong bequeathed Jesmond Dene, Armstrong Bridge and Armstrong Park to the workers of Newcastle.

A chronicle of his life's work and his Victorian Mansion Cragside is worth a worth a visit, as it not only of historical importance, but it is a beautiful place to visit. We recommend to guests to take a day trip up there.

Armstrong Bridge, as it was in days gone by and what it looks like today.

In the 1950's above and as what it looks like today.

Jesmond Dene Park bequethed by Lord William Armstrong 

The photos below, show Jesmond Dene Road flooded, opposite Holy Trinity Church and a view from where Rehills convenience store is today.