A postcard which advertises a group of hotels under the same direction : -

◊  Grand Pump Room Hotel, Bath ◊  Royal Crescent Hotel, Brighton ◊  De Vere Hotel, Kensington ◊  Esplanade Hotel, Penarth

The central shield proudly proclaims : - Under Direction of R. G. Vaughan, Controller, Refreshment Dept., House of Lords.

How posh is that! The detail of this commercial arrangement is not known but it was apparently distributed to guests free of charge in order to advertise the hotel grouping. They were published by Raphael Tuck & Sons and first appeared in August 1929. [474] Another heritage postcard from the Penarth Dock Collection. [001]

A view of the Esplanade Hotel in the 1960's around the time I used to call in to see my friend Sally. In late 2016, Sally phoned our office and after a mere 55 years, or so, we are once again in contact, mostly recalling details about our childhood days, due entirely to the lovely lady's pertinacity and links to this Penarth Dock website! [000] [002]

The Pier and Promenade, Penarth - Another Tuck's postcard first published in 1951. The Esplanade Hotel may just been seen at the base of the Beach Road on the right. The hill is a hard climb after a day on the beach so I found it best to walk up to the town centre via the cool shade of, and using the park benches of, the Alexandra Park. The lower version has been colourised. [474]