Frinton-on-Sea: The former Grand Hotel

Image: © Nigel Cox Taken: 30 Aug 2009

Late Victorian splendour at its very best, the 50 room Grand Hotel was built, according to the date in a plaque beneath the gable end, in 1896. There is a later date of 1936 in the far gable end indicating a more modern extension. It has four storeys, the lower two of which have verandahs. The right side façade is on the Esplanade overlooking The Greensward while the building curves round at this, its southern end, into Fourth Avenue. This end is topped with a distinctive octagonal spirelet. A 1977 advert in The Times describes it as having "large uncrowded dining facilities, superb cuisine, lift to all floors, sea view from all rooms, verandas, ballroom, 3 luxurious bars and ample parking". Alas a ballroom in your hotel was falling rapidly down the list of holidaymakers' necessities by that time, and the Grand's days were numbered. It is now let as leasehold apartments. The road in front is The Esplanade, but the 1898 Ordnance Survey map showing Frinton in its early stages of development calls it West Cliff.

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