The Royal Victoria Arcade

The Royal Victoria Arcade is a grade-listed shopping complex spread across three floors with a generous central passageway capped by a domed rotunda adorned with Doric pilasters. The building contains fourteen retail units of varying sizes, alongside an underground museum space open to visitors.

Built between 1835 and 1836, this arcade was commissioned by William Houghton Banks, an apothecary, and named to honor Princess Victoria. The construction reflected the commercial ambitions of wealthy merchants during that period who sought to create modern shopping facilities.

The arcade serves as a gathering place for people interested in antiques and vintage items, with regular fairs that draw collectors from the surrounding area. These events reflect how the space continues to function as a hub for those seeking objects with history and character.

The arcade is straightforward to navigate thanks to its wide central passage that provides clear orientation, with shops distributed across multiple levels. The underground museum area is also accessible and adds another dimension to a visit.

Hidden in the basement is an ice well where frozen blocks imported from North America and Scandinavia were stored before distribution to local businesses and households. This underground space reveals how the town engaged with novel refrigeration methods during the 1800s.