Monument record MDO47856 - Salterns Marina Hotel, Poole

A hotel built in the 1930s as the Poole Harbour Hotel and combined yacht club, and is still in use as a hotel today (2009). During the Second World War the neighbouring Salterns Marina was requisitioned for use as the International Flying Boat Station, with the hotel serving as the arrivals/departure point. The building appears to be of two distinct gables. Originally there was exposed timber-framing or timber applied to look like framing, but the walls are now plain render. On the south elevation, there is a large conservatory which appears from the evidence provided to be a later addition. The extension to the east is a large, rectangular block with a hipped roof and rendered walls. The central core of the original building is said to survive, however, from the evidence provided the interior appears to be mostly modern refurbishment.

The hotel was built in the 1930s as the Poole Harbour Hotel and combined yacht club, and is still in use as a hotel today (2009). During the Second World War the neighbouring Salterns Marina was requisitioned for use as the International Flying Boat Station, with the hotel serving as the arrivals/departure point. It is said to have been used by government ministers, royalty, foreign dignitaries and celebrities, and its significance to the war effort is notable. Given its status, the hotel was a target for German bombing, but managed to survive the war intact.

The building appears to be of two distinct gables. Originally there was exposed timber-framing or timber applied to look like framing, but the walls are now plain render. On the south elevation, there is a large conservatory which appears from the evidence provided to be a later addition. The extension to the east is a large, rectangular block with a hipped roof and rendered walls. The central core of the original building is said to survive, however, from the evidence provided the interior appears to be mostly modern refurbishment.

For a hotel building of the 1930s the criteria for designation are strict, and require a high quality of design and high level of survival of original fabric. Although much of the original hotel appears to survive, it is considerably altered and extended. The historic association with the International Flying Boat Station is of interest, but this is not reflected in the fabric of the building, and to merit designation at the national level it would require architectural merit in its own right. Therefore, while undoubtedly of great local interest, the Salterns Marina Hotel does not merit designation at a national level. (1)

<1> English Heritage, English Heritage Listing File, Sift Summary Report on case 162750, in file 502568/001 (Scheduling record). SDO17502.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1510687 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 14 2024 7:00AM