The name “Star and Garter” appears on hotels and pubs across three continents, from a gold-rush motel in Western Australia to a historic coaching inn in Scotland. This article traces the meaning behind the name, the history of the original Richmond Hill hotel, and what today’s Star and Garter properties offer travellers — based on official records, heritage listings, and guest reviews from multiple platforms.
Last checked: 2026-06-14
Name origin: Derived from the Order of the Garter, a medieval chivalric order · Kalgoorlie, Australia: Family-run 3.5-star motel with bistro, bottle shop, and TAB · New Norfolk, Tasmania: Star & Garter Bistro rated 3.6 on TripAdvisor, open 7 days · Richmond, London: The Original ‘Star and Garter’, Richmond Hill – historic site · Coromandel, New Zealand: Star and Garter Hotel – Coromandel Town Information Centre listing
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-14.
Sources reviewed: official property website, heritage listing database, local government history publication, neutral review platforms (Expedia, TripAdvisor, Hotels.com), tourism board listing, historical society article, charity official history.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification beyond public listings.
Star and Garter at a glance
- Derived from the insignia of the Order of the Garter, a medieval chivalric order (London Borough of Richmond upon Thames)
- First leased and built as an inn in 1738; purchased by Queen Mary in 1915 for conversion into a veterans’ home (Royal Star & Garter)
- Early 18th-century building, refronted in the 19th century; listed on the National Heritage List for England since 1950 (Historic England)
- Family-run 3.5-star motel with bistro, bottle shop, and TAB; rooms from $99/night per social media listing (TripAdvisor)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name origin | Derived from the Order of the Garter, a medieval chivalric order |
| Kalgoorlie, Australia | Family-run 3.5-star motel with bistro, bottle shop, and TAB |
| New Norfolk, Tasmania | Star & Garter Bistro rated 3.6 on TripAdvisor, open 7 days |
| Richmond, London | The original Star and Garter, Richmond Hill – historic site |
| Coromandel, New Zealand | Star and Garter Hotel – Coromandel Town Information Centre listing |
| Andover, Hampshire | Early 18th-century building, listed on National Heritage List for England |
| Wolverhampton | Closed April 1961, demolished ~1964 for Mander Centre redevelopment |
| Linlithgow, Scotland | Built as private house in 1759; became coaching inn by 1847 |
Why are pubs called Star and Garter?
The name “Star and Garter” refers directly to the insignia of the Order of the Garter, the most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system. According to a local history study published by the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, many inns adopted the symbol near royal palaces after King Charles I added a star to the order’s emblem. The star-shaped medal and the garter (a band worn around the leg) became a visual shorthand for something royal and special.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, coaching inns across Britain adopted the name to signal quality and royal association. The Linlithgow Star & Garter article from All About the Scones explains that “star and garter” became shorthand for something special, referencing the star-shaped medals of the Order of the Garter. The name spread beyond Britain to Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the former British Empire, often carried by settlers and gold-rush migrants.
What is the history of the Star and Garter Hotel?
The original on Richmond Hill
The most famous Star and Garter stood on Richmond Hill, Surrey, overlooking the River Thames. It was first leased from the Earl of Dysart and built as an inn in 1738, according to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The inn developed into a fashionable hotel with extensions in 1864 and became a prominent social venue. A devastating fire in 1870 destroyed most of the original buildings, and another fire in 1888 consumed remaining parts before reconstruction, as documented in a History Exposé documentary.
By the late Victorian era, the rebuilt hotel featured a large banqueting hall and ballroom and was marketed as a place to be seen outside London’s West End. In 1915, Queen Mary purchased the hotel and tasked the British Red Cross Society with turning it into a permanent home for severely disabled First World War veterans, per the Royal Star & Garter official history. The Star & Garter Home opened to its first residents on 14 January 1916.
The former hotel buildings were found unsuitable for specialist nursing needs and were demolished in 1919. A purpose-built home was dedicated in 1924 as the Women of the Empire’s Memorial to the Great War, opened by King George V and Queen Mary, according to Wikipedia. The home became known for pioneering treatment of paraplegic ex-servicemen in the late 1940s under neurologist Ludwig Guttmann, associated with the early Paralympic movement. The building was sold for approximately £50 million in 2014 and converted into private apartments.
Kalgoorlie: a gold-rush hotel
The Star and Garter in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, opened during the gold rush of the 1890s. Today it operates as a family-run 3.5-star motel with a bistro, bottle shop, and TAB. Guest reviews on TripAdvisor emphasise consistently clean rooms, comfortable beds with white sheets, air conditioning and heating, bar fridges, and good meals — indicating a solid mid-range motel experience.
Coromandel: a New Zealand outpost
The Star and Garter Hotel in Coromandel Town, New Zealand, appears in the Coromandel Town Information Centre listing. It represents the name’s spread across the British Empire, though detailed historical records for this property are limited in publicly available sources.
Where is the Star and Garter in Kalgoorlie?
The Star and Garter Hotel Motel is located in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, approximately 600 kilometres east of Perth. The property is situated on the main thoroughfare, within walking distance of the Kalgoorlie town centre and the Super Pit gold mine lookout. The TripAdvisor listing provides the address and contact details.
Travellers from Perth can reach Kalgoorlie by the Prospector train service, operated by Transwa. The journey takes approximately 7 hours. Driving via the Great Eastern Highway takes about 6 hours. No official price for the train fare was available in the sources reviewed.
How much does it cost to stay at the Star and Garter in Kalgoorlie?
Based on a social media listing (Instagram post), rooms at the Star and Garter Hotel Motel in Kalgoorlie start from $99 per night. The property is rated 3.5 stars and offers a range of room types including standard motel rooms and family suites. The bistro serves meals, and the bottle shop operates with regular opening hours. No official price list or seasonal rate information was available in the sources reviewed.
What is the Star and Garter known for?
The Star and Garter in Kalgoorlie is known primarily as a budget motel with on-site amenities. The property features a bottle shop (liquor store), a bistro serving meals, a TAB betting facility, and a beer garden. Guest reviews on TripAdvisor consistently mention clean rooms, comfortable beds, and friendly staff. The bistro menu includes standard pub fare, though specific menu items and prices were not available in the sources reviewed.
What are other notable Star and Garter locations?
Star and Garter, Andover
The Star and Garter Hotel in Andover, Hampshire, at 2 High Street, is a listed building on the National Heritage List for England, first listed on 24 February 1950. Historic England describes it as an early 18th-century building, refronted in the 19th century. Contemporary guests rate it highly: Expedia shows an 8.2/10 average from over 400 reviews, with frequent praise for large, comfortable, clean rooms and friendly staff. TripAdvisor ranks it mid-range among local hotels, with reviews highlighting very clean rooms and polite staff but noting some noise and parking issues.
Star and Garter, Wolverhampton
The historic Star and Garter Hotel in Wolverhampton was associated in local tradition with King Charles I, who is said to have taken shelter there in 1642 while it was the private residence of Madame St Andrew, before it later became a licensed inn, according to The History of Wolverhampton. Substantial improvements were celebrated with a house-warming dinner in November 1836, after which it was promoted as an attractive commercial inn and family hotel. The hotel closed in April 1961 and was demolished around 1964 during redevelopment for the Mander Centre shopping complex.
Star and Garter, Linlithgow
The Star & Garter building in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland, originated as a private house built for the Boyd family, wealthy ship owners, in 1759, the same year poet Robert Burns was born, according to All About the Scones. By 1847 the property had become the Star & Garter coaching inn under James Burleigh, operating as a horse and carriage hire hub described as the “Avis or Hertz” of its day.
Star and Garter, New Norfolk
The Star & Garter Bistro in New Norfolk, Tasmania, is rated 3.6 out of 5 on TripAdvisor based on 26 reviews. It is open 7 days a week and serves meals. No further details about the property were available in the sources reviewed.
Comparison: Star and Garter properties across three countries
| Location | Star Rating | Price Range | Key Amenities | TripAdvisor Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalgoorlie, Australia | 3.5 stars | From $99/night | Bistro, bottle shop, TAB, beer garden | Not available |
| New Norfolk, Tasmania | Not specified | Not available | Bistro | 3.6 / 5 (26 reviews) |
| Coromandel, New Zealand | Not specified | Not available | Hotel accommodation | Not available |
Our pick for history enthusiasts
For readers interested in the historical origins of the Star and Garter name, the Richmond Hill site in London offers the richest story — from an 18th-century coaching inn to a Victorian grand hotel to a pioneering veterans’ home. While the building is now private apartments, the Royal Star & Garter charity continues the legacy in modern care homes.
For budget travellers seeking an actual stay, the Kalgoorlie property offers the most complete package: accommodation, meals, and drinks on site, with rooms from $99/night.
For pub name etymology readers, the Linlithgow story best illustrates how a private house became a coaching inn and how the name “Star and Garter” became shorthand for something special.
Timeline: Key dates in Star and Garter history
- 1738 — Original Star and Garter inn built on Richmond Hill, Surrey
- 1759 — Linlithgow building constructed as private house for Boyd family
- 1847 — Linlithgow property becomes Star & Garter coaching inn
- 1870 — Major fire destroys most of Richmond Hill hotel
- 1888 — Second fire consumes remaining parts of Richmond hotel
- 1890s — Kalgoorlie Star and Garter opens during gold rush
- 1915 — Queen Mary purchases Richmond hotel for veterans’ home
- 1916 — Star & Garter Home opens to first residents (14 January)
- 1924 — Purpose-built home dedicated as Women of the Empire’s Memorial
- 1950 — Andover Star and Garter listed on National Heritage List (24 February)
- 1961 — Wolverhampton Star and Garter closes (April)
- 1964 — Wolverhampton building demolished for Mander Centre
- 2014 — Richmond Hill building sold for ~£50 million, converted to apartments
- 2016 — Royal Star & Garter marks centenary of Richmond home
Related reading: The Star Hotel Sale: Menu, Prices, Booking & Reviews · Carringbush Hotel: History, Closure, and Context of Australia’s Oldest Pubs
For those interested in the dining options, the Star and Garter Restaurant offers a comprehensive look at menus and locations across several countries.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Star and Garter name mean?
The name refers to the insignia of the Order of the Garter, a medieval chivalric order. The star-shaped medal and the garter (a leg band) became a popular symbol for inns near royal palaces after King Charles I added a star to the order’s emblem.
How do I get from Perth to Kalgoorlie?
The Prospector train service operated by Transwa runs from Perth to Kalgoorlie, taking approximately 7 hours. Driving via the Great Eastern Highway takes about 6 hours. No official train fare was available in the sources reviewed.
Does the Star and Garter have a bottle shop?
Yes, the Star and Garter Hotel Motel in Kalgoorlie has a bottle shop (liquor store) on site, along with a bistro, TAB, and beer garden.
What is the oldest hotel in Australia?
The oldest continuously operating hotel in Australia is generally considered to be the Hope and Anchor Tavern in Hobart, Tasmania, which opened in 1807. The Star and Garter in Kalgoorlie opened in the 1890s, making it a gold-rush era property rather than one of Australia’s oldest.
Is the Star and Garter in Richmond Hill still open?
No. The original Star and Garter Hotel on Richmond Hill was purchased by Queen Mary in 1915 and converted into a veterans’ home. The building was sold in 2014 and converted into private apartments. The Royal Star & Garter charity continues to operate modern care homes elsewhere.
Sources cited
- London Borough of Richmond upon Thames — Local history of the Star and Garter, Richmond Hill
- Royal Star & Garter — Official history of the charity and Richmond home
- Historic England — National Heritage List entry for Andover Star and Garter
- Wikipedia — Star and Garter Hotel, Richmond
- Expedia — The Star and Garter, Andover guest ratings
- TripAdvisor — The Star & Garter, Andover reviews
- Hotels.com — The Star and Garter, Andover reviews
- The History of Wolverhampton — Star & Garter Hotel history
- All About the Scones — Star & Garter Hotel, Linlithgow
- TripAdvisor — Star & Garter Hotel Motel, Australia features and reviews
- History Exposé (YouTube) — Documentary on Star and Garter, Richmond Hill