The history of the Celtic Royal Hotel

The Celtic Royal Hotel – originally named the Uxbridge Arms – was built around 1794 by the 2nd Earl of Uxbridge, famous for his successful charge of his light cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo.

He famously remarked to the Duke of Wellington after his leg had been shot away, “By God Sir, I’ve lost my leg!”, before calmly watching the retreating French troops through his telescope.

The Adelphi Society enlivened Olde Caernarvon society with fashionable balls and entertainments held at the Hotel, the ballrooms and assembly rooms glittering with expensive crystal glass chandeliers.

The Hotel’s stables and coach houses – considered to be some of the finest in the country – were extended in 1810 at the rear of the hotel and formed a completely enclosed courtyard, together with tack-rooms, grooms’ quarters, farrier and blacksmith. The Hotel also had its own exclusive park and walkways at the rear of the stable block, right up to the foot of Twthill rock.

Princess Victoria stayed here in 1832 – just five years before ascending to the throne, and the Hotel was renamed the Royal Hotel in her honour.