Victoria House/Hotel

89 Central Hill

1850s The Lion Hotel. In  1861 Thomas Masters Proprietor, wife Sarah, Edward son Member of the Royal Honourable Artillery Company, daughter Sarah, Stepmother Elizabeth, John Brother in law Stallman,  Sister in law Charlotte, George Stepson Bar Boy, Sister Anne nurse, 5 servants and 1 visitor.

1869 to 1930 the hotel became Victoria House a reformatory for ‘fallen’ female servants.   It was called The Home of the Rescue Society. The Reformatory was run by a Christian Society.  From 1900 it advertised for laundry which inmates would be trained to wash before they were placed once more in service. Home of the Rescue Society with Mrs Elizabeth Golding and Miss Emma Wilson her assistant and general servants out of employment.  In 1881 the Victoria Home Rescue Society included. Miss Henrietta Merry as head and 17 inmates.  In 1891 it included Miss Clara Dale Matron of Rescue Home, her sister Miss Annie Dale, 1 servant and 21 inmates. In 1901 it included Miss Emma Riley Matron.  Laundry Matron.  House Matron.  Maternity Assistant.  15 inmates. In 1911 it included Miss Lydia Prentice Matron of Rescue Society’s Maternity Homes Reformatory.  Assistant Matron, Laundry Matron.  Midwife.  Training for Domestic Service.  15 training for domestic service.

In the 1930s it was converted into flats.