A brief family history

In 1939, Freddie Hook & his wife Violet bought the Faulkner Hotel. Freddie, the son of a Thames lighter-man, had apprenticed in the kitchens of Sidmouth's Victoria Hotel, moving on to become Chef at the Fortfield Hotel, where he cooked for the Duke of Connaught. Violet (nee Hucker) was from an old Sidmouth family who ran the nearby Huckers' Luncheon Room.

After acquiring the Faulkner, with war imminent, visitors were scarce and for the first few months almost no one came! On the outbreak of hostilities Freddie joined the R.A.F, (although extraordinarily he was posted back to the nearby Riviera Hotel, taking charge of catering for the Sergeants Mess) leaving Violet to run the guesthouse while bringing up three small children.

After the war together they turned the Faulkner into a thriving hotel expanding into two more of the houses on York Terrace.

Their youngest son Peter had by then joined them in the family business. In 1957 he met and subsequently married, Rosemary Fyffe, a young lady from Dorking. In 1970 the Royal York Hotel, then owned by a group of local business men, came on the market and Peter and Rosemary expanded to form the now, Royal York and Faulkner Hotel.

Freddie died in 1990 and Violet some years before, but Peter and Rosemary are now joined by their children, Paul and Sara and the family continue to run the combined hotels.

The Hotel's history

In 1800, the area of the eastern promenade was still un-developed rough land where in the 18th Century ships had been built for coastal trades. It was here on the corner site of Fore Street, that construction of Sidmouth's first purpose built hotel began in 1807.

The concept of a hotel where people went to stay for extended periods was a new one in Regency times. Until then, those who travelled stayed at an inn and those who wished to reside for a time, either rented a house or took rooms according to their means.

The York Hotel, as it was then called, quickly became popular remaining for over 90 years the town's premier establishment.

Lord Charles Wellesley, second son of the 1st Duke of Wellington, stayed at the York Hotel in the summer of 1854. However, the most celebrated visitor was Edward, Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, who stayed in September, 1856, hence the Royal addition to the name.

The proprietress, Miss Wright, was able in 1907 to advertise 'Weekend inclusive terms, Friday dinner to Monday breakfast 25/-' (£1.25)". In the early 1930s full board for a week at the height of the season was 7 guineas (£7.35).

In the last war the hotel was the only one in Sidmouth not to be requisitioned and since the then owner was also the Town Clerk to Sidmouth Urban District Council this caused more than a few 'raised eyebrows' among the locals!