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The Albion’s history is as rich and colourful as the Isle of Wight’s itself

History

Its unique location in the shelter of Tennyson Down, as it later became; a cove sheltering flimsy boats from the Southwest blows; and a southerly aspect with many caves to tuck into, out of the prying eyes of the mainland, all go to make this an ideal spot for a hostel. There is no other spot along the Southwest coast of the Isle of Wight that can provide all of those.

An abundant supply of fresh water as well as its position on the South coast of the Island, made it ideal as a victualing stop before crossing the channel. It became so important that Fort Redoubt above was built to protect the bay from the enemy.

‘Trade’ was good, so two hostels sprang up in the early 1700s: The Mermaid Inn to the West and the ‘Cabin’, as it was known to the locals, to the East. No one is a hundred percent sure which came first, but there is no doubt they would have vied for the trade of locals and visitors alike.

Little is known of the history of these two inns during the 1700s other than a few entries in traveller’s journals in the 1780s, and tall tales of smuggling and looting of stranded ships which failed to round the Needles.

Thomas Rowlandson painted the bay and the two inns in 1791, so we have some idea of what they may have looked like.

The first Albion Hotel was built in the early 1830s by Plumbly after a storm wiped out a lot of buildings in Freshwater in 1824, although the Mermaid survived and adjoined the new building. He rapidly expanded the hotel during the 1840s with a further extension Southwards.

Whilst the Young Victoria spent a lot of her childhood at Norris Castle, she put the Isle of Wight on the map of the well-heeled Victorians in the 1850s with the building of Osborne House. The Albion saw rapid growth in this decade, with the most southerly extension being added to the hotel. It also received a Royal Warrant and became The Royal Albion.

Smuggling may have stopped by then, but the views, afternoon sun, and protection from the West made it an ideal place to sit on the beach and enjoy the many bathing machines lining the bay’s sandy shores. So, visitors flocked to Freshwater Bay in their thousands and the Royal Albion became firmly established.

During the 1900’s the Royal Albion saw many changes on the world stage, stamping their mark indelibly on its future.

What happened to the hotel during the wars is a little murky.

During the 1940s and 50s post-war middle classes, looking to be treated after 40 years of two world wars and a deep recession, would have come to Freshwater to enjoy what we see today.

The 1960s saw the Albion, as it was simply known by then, come alive again, not least because of the two-week mandatory holiday introduced into the UK and the popularity of the Isle of Wight and its micro-climate as one of the sunniest places in the UK. By the end of the decade, the Albion became part of the ‘once a year’ event that rocks the south coast – the Isle of Wight festival.

Many stars, as well as fans, visited the Albion towards the end of the 60s and into the 70s. The only thing that stopped the festival from becoming bigger than Glastonbury was an Act of Parliament banning large festivals on the Island. Why? Because they were so wild!

John Gidding started up the band again in 2002 and since then, the Isle of Wight festival has become a major UK event every year. The next few years promise to be bigger still and we hope to see some of the bands back in the bar winding down after a hard day at the festival.

2024 has seen the Albion come alive again too. Having undergone a multi-million-pound renovation, we have revitalised what has to be one of the most amazing and iconic buildings with the best views on the island.

The last 300 years have seen the legendary smugglers and fishermen of the 18th century; a young Victoria and her entourage; two world wars; recessions; storms; festival revellers and bands as well as the many millions of holidaymakers. This building has seen tears of sadness and joy; stories you wouldn’t believe; the rich and famous and not-so-famous. If the walls had ears, they would burst with what they know… yet they will never give up their secrets.

But one thing everyone who visits has in common, is they have all been welcomed and all leave with a bit of the Isle of Wight in their heart.

So, we welcome you to join an illustrious band of people and come to make the next 100 years as memorable as the last 200.