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Leisure
Shopping, shopping, shopping then drop....
Southampton is the major retail hub for the south coast, with all the well known shops as well as some more individual ones, six of which are situated in the hotel’s very own shopping lane calling it Dolphin Lane, home to Breeze - Hair Salon, Orchard Therapies - Massage & treatments and many more...
A weekly market is held in Southampton and is just 100yrds from the hotel - with fresh local produce.
Hotel History
Hotel History
As one might expect, a hotel which has been in existence as long as the dolphin will have quite a history. The dolphin was originally built in 1390 but early records show that in 1492 it was a tenement on the site known as Le Dolphyn, however it’s first introduction as an Inn was in 1506. Later in 1750 the original building was rebuilt and further redevelopment was carried out in the early 1920’s. Shortly after that entered in to the corporate company situation, which lasted right up until 2003, when on February 28th it returned to private ownership. It’s most extensive refurbishment probably since the development back in the 1750’s.
A hotel that has lasted this long will also have had many royal guests, distinguished guests and in recent years, famous personalities from film when the liners were travelling from Southampton to New York on a regular basis. The earliest record of a royal goes back to the 1500’s when it is believed that Henry VIII travelled to the New Forest to a hunting lodge. It is believed that he probably visited Southampton during this time and as the dolphin was the only Inn in existence, he would have stopped here on his route. Later George III kept a suite for himself, which had its own spiral staircase leading into the carriageway. It is also believed that William IV visited the hotel on one occasion during his reign. Queen Victoria stayed in the hotel in 1898 with 15 servants and she thereafter used it as a regular stop to stable her horses and whilst waiting for transport across to the Isle of Wight to Osborne House when weather was inclement.
It is recorded that in the 17th century the Ambassador to the King of Morocco stayed here for a period of time. As for famous people, the first record would probably be Admiral Lord Nelson who stopped off on 13th January 1801 where in latter years a letter was found from his wife Josephine and used to be in the possession of the hotel. Regrettably in the last 5 years it has been lost.
Jane Austin danced at the winter assembly held at the hotel in 1808 in the long room where the bow windows are to be found. Another famous author, William Makepeace Thackeray, whilst staying at the hotel wrote his novel Pendennis.
In more recent years regarding the stars of film and stage, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor frequented the hotel on a couple of occasions, fortunately they did not fight at the time! Orsen Wells stayed at the hotel on one occasion, and unfortunately, overfilled his bath and when he stepped in to it, he and the bath fell through to the floor below. I don’t think he stayed again.
The Dolphin nowadays is definitely tongue in cheek with an eclectic mix of old and new but with a humour which permeates everywhere including our staff who are full of fun and will hopefully put you at ease.
Ghosts – how many do you want?
It is well documented that the dolphin is haunted by at least six ghosts – hardly surprising when you think that there has been an inn on the site since the middle ages, indeed there is a list of landlords going back to 1432 displayed in the hotel today.
When you think of the goings on in hotels today, just imagine the stories that the six ghosts could tell. But who were they?
In the mediaeval vaults under the oldest part of the building C1250
This area is ‘haunted’ by two ghosts
An older man called ‘Tom’ who we believe to have been a manual worker at the dolphin – maybe a cellar man who looked after the barrels of wine, which would have been stored there throughout the centuries, when Southampton was famed for importing wines from our French neighbours
Sadly a young lad, who remains nameless accompanies Tom – who was he? What part did he play in the history of the dolphin?
On the new ground floor C 1890
This area is haunted by our most famous ghost.
Molly – this is the ghost that we know most about. Molly was a chamber maid and as with many servants would have lived in the hotel. She fell in love and was spurned, tragically she took her own life in the old stable block. Molly has been seen by many people over the years, but a notable sighting was made by an American Serviceman in the mid 1990s who saw her top half walk across his room (her lower half being below the floors surface). Investigation showed that the new block which was built in 1890 was built on the site of an old stable block, which presumably had different floor levels – maybe he saw Molly walking to her death.
In the Assembly Rooms on the first floor C 1750
This area is haunted by just one ghost.
A portly gentleman in Georgian attire called Beau. Maybe Beau was attending one of the famous assemblies that were held at the dolphin in the 1700’s and early in the 1800’s – without a doubt the most famous attendee was Jane Austen who danced here on her 18th Birthday. Beau is seen to gaze wistfully out of one of the large bay windows above what is now Bleu Grill on the high street – you may even see him from the street if you look closely.
In the first floor bedroom corridor C1890
Again this is haunted by just one ghost
A Victorian lady – our very own ‘grey lady’ – this is our most seen ghost in recent times and as recently as June 2004 was seen and ‘felt’ by Kerry James, the hotels marketing manager. Flowing dresses and ribbons – maybe she was staying before boarding one of the many ships that left our port in those days.
And that leaves just one ghost
A mischievous chap who seems to make himself known in more than one place – so if you’re staying and your hear a door slam or you wake up to find a previously closed wardrobe door wide open or maybe a sock goes missing - then you’ve probably been visited by him!
Or maybe they are all a result of another type of spirit all together
Hotel Art
For more information on the hotel art, please visit ASpace.
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Local Amenities
The Dolphin hotel is a 5-mile trip from the beautiful New Forest, with such attractions as Beaulieu National Motor Museum - owned by Lord Montague and Exbury gardens owned by Mr. Edmund de Rothschild CBE.
Click here to visit the New Forest Web Site
The Hotel is situated within the Old Walled Town, a short walk the Maritime Museum which features the world renowned Titanic exhibition. St Micheals Church, just two minutes away hosts one of only four ‘black marble fonts, brought over by William the Conqueror himself.
In September the Southampton International Boatshow is a 2-minute walk away.
Click here to visit the Internation Boat Show Web Site
The Isle of Wight ferry is at the bottom of the road which makes a great day out. So once you have parked your car you will not need it again until you depart.
Southampton Football Club is within easy reach, ideal to catch that game in style.
Click here to visit the Southampton FC Web Site
For more information about what's on in southampton, visit the Southampton City Web Leisure Page.
Click here to visit the Southampton City Web Leisure Page
Tel: 023 8033 9955
Fax: 023 8033 3650
email: enquiries@thedolphin.co.uk
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