Early Ryde Foreshore

Although we can't be exact we judge the above canvas and its centred building to be very close to the position of where the Royal Pier Hotel would have stood. Note the large logs seasoning before being planked for boat building.  The centre building is also understood to be that of one of the first pubs /  Inn in Ryde for the travellers to rest in after coming over from Portsmouth, "The Passage Hoy"  and later as "The Bugle".

Early Esplande prints around the site of the Royal Pier Hotel

The print is by C Tomkins engraved in 1795, as you can see there are only now a few buildings at the foot of the small jetty or pier. The vast works and changes are yet to happen, further engravings by this artist can be found in Island engravers histories.

The print is by C Tomkins engraved in 1828,  examine the differences and the major changes that occurred in only 33 years, this was mainly due to the development of the pier in 1814 which allowed fro trade and commerce to continue unhindered by the tidal falls seen at Ryde and and the gaining of town status in 1829. The slipway in the foreground was known as "Horseboat Slip" and is now submerged under the concrete apron used by the Hovercraft.Further engravings by this artist can be found in Island engravers histories. We have attached a PDF of this on the bubble on the actions TAB for you to view.

Ryde Pier with the Royal Pier Hotel and Esplanade

The railway was completed and used for service in July 1880 and we think this postcard was taken in the early 1920's.

The second view  shows a busy esplanade just in front of the Royal Hotel with many forms of horse drawn and new motorised carriages as public transport, probaly again taken circa 1905.

The Coaching Era

A Youngs Coach departing  the Royal Pier hotel, if you look closely at the photo you can just make out the "Royal Pier Hotel" external hanging lamp/sign another sign in the doorway. "The Gordon Hotels" as The Royal Pier Hotel Ryde was a member of the "Gordon Hotels" chain, including "The Grand Hotel" London, "The Hotel Métropole" London, Monte Carlo, Cannes and Brighton.

Later Transport

The Royal Pier Hotel with what appears to be a new bus service, note the advertising for the "Yelfs & Co. on the livery and the registration of the vehicles being DL-78, which is  a very early record of a licensed Island motor transport.

 The Royal Pier Hotel Last Days

Three further  shots of the hotel can be viewed on the bubble and a fourth shot showing the rough area at the bottom of Union Street the hotel used to occupy after the area was developed.  The Royal Pier Hotel was demolished in the 1930,s to allow for better access from the now adopted Union Street and the towns main traffic flow, moving it away from St Thomas Street..

Time Moves On

The photo below shows us a further update to the area with the start of the proposed bypass as can be seen with the demolition of the "Western Bandstand and Skating Rink" and replaced by the start of the concrete road, however it was curtailed in the late 1960's.

Photographic Sources: Tony Gale