Now a town house hotel, the Villa Magdala was built in 1868 during the Victorian era and named after the Battle of Maqdala fought in Abysinnia -now Ethiopia- in the same year.

Sent to secure the safe release of European travellers held at the court of the Emperor Tewedros, a British Expedition left for Abysinnia by sea in early 1868.

By the summer, with negotiations exhausted, the campaign culminated in the fall of the Emperor's fort at the citadel of Maqdala in the mountainous north-west of the country, and in the freeing of the captives.

Field Marshall Lord Robert Napier, who commanded the campaign, lived nearby in Henrietta Street as a boy. Accordingly, the house was named in his honour.

Maqdala, or Magdala as the people called it at the time, had until then scarcely been known. However, Napier's victory changed this forever, and by 1870 one could live in Magdala Road in Nottingham, or visit Magdala Mews in Edinburgh, or drink in one of the two Magdala Taverns in London!

The Villa Magdala was originally constructed as an adjoining pair of gracious family homes -Magdala and Avondale- and has since become a single building. Today, the fine cast iron balustrade to the main staircase and the elegant hallway tells of the style and grandeur of the families who over the past 140 years have lived here.

The Villa Magdala...

Peaceful location & relaxing ambience
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Just 5 minutes level walk to the Roman Baths and city centre
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Spacious, well equipped rooms
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Free parking in hotel grounds