Built in 1856, the Victoria Hotel was built on the site of a much older inn called sucessively 'The Pilot Boat', 'The Nag's Head' and 'The Star' . For much of its life the Victoria was notable as the only non-Adnams pub in Southwold. It was owned by the Norwich brewer, Bullards, which was bought by Watneys in 1963. From 1930 until 1956, the pub was managed by John and Elsie Adams. Their great grandaughter, Julieanne Steel and her mother, Rosanna, kindly provided us with the details of their tenure.

1810
Widow Foster - Inn Keeper. This is the last year of her trading. The inn is taken over by Peter Palmer, a Trinity Pilot, and his wife, Sarah. (M)

1830
Sarah Palmer - Inn Keeper, the wife of Peter Palmer, pilot

1844
James Woodard - Inn Keeper - (W).James is married to Martha Chipperfield Woodard (nee Martin), the eldest daughter of James Martin, landlord of The Red Lion at No 2 South Green. They have three sons and three daughters

1855
The building, now known as 'The Nag's Head', is demolished in July and rebuilt. The new tavern is opened in March the following year and initially signed 'The Star'. This is later changed to 'The Victoria Tavern'. While the work is proceeding, Maggs records that James Woodard moves - with his licence - to the butcher's shop in the Marketplace. (M)

1866
James Woodard - Inn Keeper, dies on 3 November

1871
Martha Woodard - Inn Keeper (C) At age 69, James' widow continues to run the inn

1874
George Ellis Wright - Victualler (W 1874, C1891)

1896
Joseph Jarvis (K 1896)

1933, 1937
John Adams - Public House Tenant (K1933 and 1937). John Adams and his wife, Elsie have a married daughter, Florence May Gilbert and her three little girls, Rosanna, Jaqueline and Heather, all of whom also live in the pub.

1938
John Adams dies and his widow Elsie takes over the pub. The same year her daughter Florence gives birth to her third baby girl, Rosanna.

Elsie makes it known that her aim is to run the Queen Victoria specifically as a pub for working men.

Elsie Adams - Public House tenant.

1945
John and Elsie's daughter, Florence May (Gilbert), dies in the pub of TB aged just 32, leaving her mother, Elsie to look after the three small girls as well as running the pub.

1956
Elsie Adams dies after more than twenty years in the Queen Victoria.
Walter and Phyllis Cook take on the lease of the pub and live on the premises. Walter has been running the wet fish shop across the road at No 5 East Street and continues to do so although, from 1958 onwards, he increasingly hands over its management to his son, Richard.

Behind the Victoria is a separate smokehouse which is used by the Cook's fishmonger business.

1960
Walter & Phyllis Cook relinquish the lease this year and Mr & Mrs Cornelius o'Keeffe take it over. (LM)

David Endersby and his father, keen fishermen, frequently lodge at the Victoria on trips to Southwold during the 1960s. Read David's reminiscences here.

1976
(Forename) Moseley (LM)

1978
John Illston takes over as landlord, offering cooked meals (SRB)

1994
Theresa Hart - Hart's Wine Bar (SST1994)

1997
East Street Bar - (proprietor?)

'The Blue Lighthouse' Bistro.

2013
'The Blue Lighthouse' Bistro closes this year