Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel, Dartford, Kent Archaeological and Photographic Record During Refurbishment

A building investigation and photographic record was carried out at the Grade II listed Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel, Dartford during the refurbishment work in August and September 1996. The building has been subject to continual alteration, with 20th century additions having the most impact on the historic fabric. However, much historic fabric survives and the building is a good example of a courtyard inn which has retained its plan. Remarkably, the 1703 construction contract for the building survives amongst the deeds. Much of the original 1703 building survives and was seen to be characterised by red-pink brickwork and diagonally-set corner fireplaces. The structural carpentry observed demonstrated that the gallery was an integral part of the first-floor framing. The changing use of the courtyard has affected the way the building was used with the double carriage way entrance, that dominated the front elevation, being partially blocked in the early 20th century. Features of interest noted during the investigation include two surviving examples of the columns originally supporting the gallery roofs, the heavy turned balusters both around the galleries and of the original stair and most importantly the painted panels of the principal public room of the inn.