The History of Cambridge Hotel

The history of Cambridge Hotel steeps back into 1856 when it was first built by the Prince George, 2nd Duke of Cambridge as a Victorian style grand mansion for his morganatic - a type of marriage usually between persons of unequal social rank, which prevents the passage of the husband's titles and privileges to the wife and any children born of the marriage – wife Louise Sarah Fairbrother.

Prince, George, 2nd Duke of Cambridge was an army officer and he was the longest serving head of the British Army, serving as commander-in-chief for 39 years of the British Army from 1856 to 1895.

His wife, Sarah Fairbrother was an actress who appeared on the stage in ballet at the Kings Theatre, and she performed in the Covent Garden as well. Sarah Fairbrother met Prince George of Cambridge in 1840 and despite the disapproval of the Monarch they got married on 8 January 1847 at St John Clerkenwell, London.

Under the Royal Marriages Act 1772, Prince George was required to seek the permission of the British monarch (at that time his cousin, Queen Victoria) to marry, but failed to do so as permission to marry an actress would never have been given. Due to political pressures he faced, The Prince commissioned the building of an idyllic mansion for his morganatic wife in 1856, which is occupied by Cambridge Hotel in Horley between the London and Brighton main coach line - a very busy route at the time where he used to make frequent trips to see his wife and his two children he loved so dearly.

It was turned into a Hotel in 1952 by a scottish man, James Laing-Walker with 10 grand rooms and has remained a quaint Hotel ever since expanding with additional rooms and facilities over the years.

The Cambridge Hotel Gatwick has gained Grade II status due to its historic importance and beautiful original Victorian period features such as fireplace, grand staircase and chandelier and offers the guests a characteristic atmosphere with attentive personal service.