This hotel was built in 1840 and was then called the Victoria Hotel. It was then renamed the Royal Hotel and at this time was the last and most southern hotel on the seafront.
In 1847 the English writer and social critic Charles Dickensstayed in the hotel, along with his friend and colleague Mark lemonwho was the founding editor of both Punch and The Field. at the time Dickens was occupied writing his Novel David Copperfield which was first published as a serial. During his stay at the hotel, Dickens had described Great Yarmouth to his wife in a letter thus Yarmouth was the most wondrous sight his eyes had ever beheld. He also, during this visit met James Sharman who was the keeper of the Britannia Monument, on whom he supposedly based the character of Ham Peggotty. In the hotel’s Palm court, a menu which has been signed by Dickens during his stay there is on display.