James Gray: Two particularly good views [jgc_03_126 and 127] of the Old Ship Hotel. The condition of the roadway is worth studying. Year unknown, but most likely the late 1860s. jgc_03_126
2020: The hotel has expanded eastwards from the corner of Ship Street towards Black Lion Street but its original façade is largely unchanged. Today, the road in front of the hotel is rarely empty. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_02_126 above.] jgc_03_127
2020: The original façade of the hotel is largely unchanged. The houses and shops to the right (east) of the hotel remained separate until at least the early years of the next century, as shown in images jgc_03_130 and 142 below. The road in front, currently in good condition, at least compared to the 1860s, is now rarely empty. Curiously, the ornamental balustrades along the side of King’s Road seem to have survived – although the horses (and their manure) have all gone. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Motorists and their cars outside the Old Ship Hotel during ‘Motor Week’ which took place in July 1905. jgc_03_130
2020: Gray’s photograph is one of several images showing the front of the Old Ship Hotel before it was extended. On a dull day in May 2020, the hotel is closed due to the coronavirus pandemic and the road outside serves solely as a short-term car park. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Clear photograph of the hotel and building next to it. Additional Information: R. Bacon & Co over the main entrance to the Hotel. jgc_ 03_131
2020: The hotel was named prominently above the entrance with the further inscription ‘R. Bacon & Co.’ on the door lintel. Today the space above the entrance is blank although the hotel name appears elsewhere on the building. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: The Old Ship Hotel decorated for the Coronation of King Edward VII. A feature of this period was the number of private lamp posts. Two are outside the hotel; four opposite Lewis’s the jewellers, and several more in the block between Middle Street and West Street. jgc_03_135
James Gray: Photograph of the Old Ship Hotel in 1899, when it occupied a very much less area than it does now. jgc_03_136
2020: The façade of this western end of the hotel appears to be largely unchanged. The houses and shops to the right (east) were eventually incorporated into the hotel without their balconies and railings; only the blind seems to have survived. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Postcard view of the Old Ship Hotel, thought to date from the late 1890s. As can be seen, it occupied much less space than it does today and the tall buildings to the east with shopfronts had yet to be acquired. Additional Information: London Coach ‘Comet’. jgc_03_139
2020: The coach shown in front of the hotel in the postcard is about to head back towards Redhill and eventually London. See also jgc_03_142 below. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Visit of London Motor Bus. Period unknown, but about 1910. jgc_03_142
2020: By 1910, a motor omnibus was taking people to Redhill, Croydon and London. In the modern image, a taxi is waiting for passengers – but could do the journey in a fraction of the time if necessary! (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: An early morning photograph. Absence of traffic suggests war period, 1939 or early 1940. jgc_03_143
2020: This image from c1940 shows the Old Ship Hotel now extending all the way from Ship Street to Black Lion Street. The distinctive black and white brick building (see jgc_03_133 on the King’s Road (5) page) has vanished but the gabled corner block (see jgc_03_140 below) remained here certainly until 1957.
James Gray: A very much later view, probably taken about 1957. By then all buildings up to Black Lion Street had been added to the [Old Ship] hotel though the gabled area has still to be dealt with to complete the present frontage. jgc_03_140
2020: The eastern end of the Old Ship Hotel has been completely redeveloped, replacing the gabled corner buildings with a six-storey modern extension. (Photographer: David Sears)