🏠 Sir Richard Hotham
Sir Richard Hotham is widely recognized as the founder of Bognor as a seaside resort. Originally an East India merchant, property developer, and politician, Hotham visited Bognor, then a small fishing hamlet, in 1784 seeking the restorative qualities of sea air. Impressed by the area, he decided to transform it into a fashionable resort that he initially named Hothamton.
Hotham purchased approximately 1,600 acres of land and began an ambitious building project. In 1786, he acquired a farmhouse and rebuilt it into his first mansion, Bognor Lodge (demolished in 1937). He also established local brick-making and lime production to support his construction efforts. In 1792, he built Chapel House (now Hotham Park House) as his main residence, which included a private chapel and clock tower.
His vision was to create a tranquil resort that would attract nobility away from the more bustling Brighton and Margate, with the ultimate goal of attracting King George III or the Prince of Wales. He built grand terraced houses, a hotel (later expanded with amenities like a library and shops), and Hothamton Crescent, including Dome House, which was designed to attract royalty. The Prince of Wales did visit Dome House in 1796.
Sir Richard Hotham died in 1799, at the age of 76, before seeing the full completion of his ambitious project. He is buried at St. Mary Magdalene Church in South Bersted. His efforts laid the foundation for Bognor's growth into the popular seaside destination it is today, eventually earning the "Regis" suffix due to royal patronage in 1929.
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