Runnymede, George Town
Named after the historic field where King John formalized the Magna Carta, Runnymede comprises a group of buildings situated along George Town鈥檚 seafront in Penang. The site gained prominence due to its association with Sir Stamford Raffles, renowned for later founding Singapore, who resided here during his tenure in Penang. In March 1805, Raffles, then serving as an assistant secretary to the new Governor of Penang, married a widow he had met while she was petitioning for a pension from her deceased husband.
Historical records indicate that the original Runnymede was a brick bungalow constructed by Raffles in 1808. It served as the Raffleses' residence until 1810 when it was sold to the British East India Company (EIC) for $4,800 Spanish dollars. Subsequently, the EIC designated it as the lodging for visiting navy captains, until a fire engulfed the building in 1901, leading to its destruction. Following the fire, the surrounding structures were purchased and transformed into a hotel, offering competition to the nearby Eastern & Oriental Hotel.
The main three-story seafront edifice was erected in the 1930s, featuring a grand ballroom on the ground floor and guestrooms on the upper floors. During its heyday in 1935, the Runnymede Hotel hosted weekly cocktail dances and dinner dances, boasting amenities such as a post office, telegraph office, hairdresser, bookstall, reading room, billiard room, railway ticketing office, and a fleet of chauffeured motorcars. During the Second World War, however, the building served as part of a naval and military base.
Historical records indicate that the original Runnymede was a brick bungalow constructed by Raffles in 1808. It served as the Raffleses' residence until 1810 when it was sold to the British East India Company (EIC) for $4,800 Spanish dollars. Subsequently, the EIC designated it as the lodging for visiting navy captains, until a fire engulfed the building in 1901, leading to its destruction. Following the fire, the surrounding structures were purchased and transformed into a hotel, offering competition to the nearby Eastern & Oriental Hotel.
The main three-story seafront edifice was erected in the 1930s, featuring a grand ballroom on the ground floor and guestrooms on the upper floors. During its heyday in 1935, the Runnymede Hotel hosted weekly cocktail dances and dinner dances, boasting amenities such as a post office, telegraph office, hairdresser, bookstall, reading room, billiard room, railway ticketing office, and a fleet of chauffeured motorcars. During the Second World War, however, the building served as part of a naval and military base.
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Runnymede on Map
Sight Name: Runnymede
Sight Location: George Town, Malaysia (See walking tours in George Town)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: George Town, Malaysia (See walking tours in George Town)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in George Town, Malaysia
Create Your Own Walk in George Town
Creating your own self-guided walk in George Town is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Farquhar Street Walking Tour
Farquhar Street, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008, is a culturally rich thoroughfare in George Town, Malaysia, and home to many interesting historic properties. Let's take a brief journey down this storied street and see what they are.
At the outset of Farquhar stands the impressive Supreme Court building, a symbol of justice and governance in Penang. Just a stone's throw away,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
At the outset of Farquhar stands the impressive Supreme Court building, a symbol of justice and governance in Penang. Just a stone's throw away,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
George Town's Historical Religious Buildings
George Town, Malaysia, has much to be proud of when it comes to religious heritage. The city boasts a plethora of wonderful churches, temples, mosques, and other religious sites 鈥� each beautifully decorated and with its own unique story. Follow us on this self-guided walk and see some of them up close.
We start at the Acheen Street Mosque. Dating back to the early 19th century, this is one of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
We start at the Acheen Street Mosque. Dating back to the early 19th century, this is one of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
George Town Introduction Walking Tour
Some felt in Malaya that the city of George Town should be renamed Tanjung Penaga ("Cape Penaga"). That was the name of the area where George Town now stands. But the Chinese, British, Muslim, Malay and Indian movers and shakers of the town wisely declined. It might be bad for business.
Captain Francis Light, R. N., came to Tanjung Penaga in 1786. He wanted to set up an entrep么t for... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Captain Francis Light, R. N., came to Tanjung Penaga in 1786. He wanted to set up an entrep么t for... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles