A Breif History
The Victoria & Albert Guesthouse was erected in 1914 as the "Mount Victoria Hotel", replacing the original hotel, "The Royal" when the town was know as One Tree Hill in the 1860's. The license traces back to 1868 on this site.
The Village of Mt Victoria came to be in May 1868 with the opening of the railway station. The old bank building was built in 1885 and is now an antique, book and plant shop. The Police Station was opened in 1887.
The Post Office opened for Business in 1866; The Hotel Imperial in 1878. Guests of both hotels used a golf course, behind the railway line. Sadly, it has since gone. St Peters Church of England was build in 1874 on land donated by Henry Bell, who owned most of the land South of the Highway.
St David’s was built in 1895 on land also donated by Henry Bell. The Manor House was built in 1876 for John Fairfax and his family Mount York - It was here in 1813 that the explorer Blaxland, Lawson & Wentworth found a way down the mountains (Lawson’s Long Alley) to the valley below and in 1815, William Cox built the road to Bathurst and the steep descent at Mt York was named Cox's Pass.
Surveyor General Sir Thomas Mitchell constructed the pass of Victoria in 1832 superseding the previous route, which had not proved satisfactory for horse and cart. The convict built bridge in this pass is recognized as an outstanding engineering achievement.
About the property and building
Apart from being a pub, the Mount Victoria Hotel served many purposes prior to becoming a guesthouse, at one stage it was purchased by Sydney Boys Grammar and became a private boys school, during post war it was converted to a convalescent home and if you look closely at some of the doors entering accommodation rooms, you will note they have been widened to allow for hospital beds to be moved from one area to another. Guests may also like to take a closer look at the engravings in the mantle piece of the fireplace in the original sitting room, which is to the right of the entry foyer. It is said that soldiers during WW2 Engraved their rankings and initials in the timberwork late at night while enjoying an ale or two. The most famous of which is said to John F Kennedy.
Following various ownerships of the Mount Victoria Hotel and visits from Royalty to the area, the Hotel was renamed The Victoria & Albert and commenced offering relaxing holidays to both the international and local markets. Today the V & A continues its tradition and still offers facilities cuisine and service of a high standard.
Communal areas within the Victoria & Albert are structurally original, such as the entry foyer, sitting room, restaurant, Cockatoo Breakfast Room, Television room and log fire lounge. Some of the accommodation rooms have been altered including upgrading, installation of ensuite and enlargement. Some old photographs indicate that the television room was once a dining area for fine dining, or private dining and some say it was originally a "Gents Only" Saloon Bar. Guests have also told stories of how the log fire lounge room had its own bar and was also a unique chapel.
The Chalet Cottage at the rear of the property was originally a private home and was sold along with the Hotel to be used as staff quarters and later was converted to a conference facility and private accommodation for families.
Come Visit the Victoria & Albert Guesthouse and bask in its grand history.