History

A somewhat incomplete history of Wilton House. Well, not even a history really. Just some interesting bits and bobs we found on the internet...

The earliest reference we can find to Wilton House is in 'The Sword and the Trowel' from 1865.

"On the first of August there was opened, at West Marina, St. Leonards, a newly-built and conveniently-planned house, delightfully situated facing the sea, which is henceforth to serve as a place of entertainment and rest for Christian workers who may need such reviving as change of scene on the sea-shore commonly ensures. The founder of this pleasant holiday-house is our well-known friend, Mr. C. Russell-Hurditch, who, four years ago, opened, by way of beginning, a smaller house in Devon- shire Road, Hastings.

The total cost of this freehold property, including £750 for furniture, will be £4,500, and as only £1,300 of this sum is at present in hand, Mr. Hurditch adds that he is " now praying the Lord to move his people to contribute the remaining sum required, to enable us to enter upon this work free of debt.""

This picture from 1916 shows the newly built Lido.

 

Wilton House is in the background of this wartime shot...

 

Wilton House is pretty much the star of this film.