Steine House, the Old Steine home of Maria Fitzherbert and now the head office of YMCA Brighton, is opening its doors for a Regency-themed coffee morning on Friday 20 November 2026.
YMCA Brighton and the Brighton & Hove Soirée Rotary Club are hosting the fundraiser at 55 Old Steine from 10.30am to 12.30pm. The organisers say just 50 tickets are available, priced at £12, and the money raised will be split between the two organisations. Booking is through Eventbrite.
What is on the morning
The organisers describe a morning of history, conversation and surprises. Guests will meet Pinsent Tailoring’s Regency gentleman, hear a talk by Father Patrick Fludder from Monks in the City, and see a special surprise guest. The Eventbrite listing says the talk will be about Maria Fitzherbert.
Homemade cakes and refreshments complete the morning, and the organisers say it is a chance to meet new people while learning more about the work of both organisations. The Eventbrite listing also mentions Regency-themed music and a raffle.
A house with a royal story
Steine House was built in 1804 by William Porden, the Prince of Wales’s architect, for Maria Fitzherbert, according to its Grade II listing and My Brighton and Hove. She had secretly married the Prince of Wales, later George IV, in 1785, a marriage that was not valid under English law because it lacked the approval required by the Royal Marriages Act 1772, as Wikipedia explains.
The first design had an Egyptian-style colonnade at the front, which a storm blew down in 1805. The front was rebuilt in the Italianate style with a verandah and balcony. A plaque records that Mrs Fitzherbert lived at the house from 1804 until her death in 1837.
The YMCA bought the building in 1884. In 1927 it was refaced and extended, with a new floor of bedrooms added, and it was listed Grade II on 13 October 1952. The listing notes that the interior has been heavily rebuilt, with a cast-iron stair the only remnant of Porden’s scheme.
Today Steine House holds YMCA Brighton’s head office on the ground floor and a housing project across the rest of the building, the charity says. It also opened to visitors on 9 and 10 May 2026 for the Artists Open Houses Regency Exhibition.
Steine House through the years
Here is how the house got from a Regency home to this month’s coffee morning.
Where to find it
Steine House stands on the west side of the Old Steine, a short walk from the Royal Pavilion and the seafront. It is also a busy spot for news: the Old Steine is where Valley Gardens 3 officially opened this month, and where the ice rink is due to move in 2027.
Who the money helps
Funds raised will be shared between YMCA Brighton and the Brighton & Hove Soirée Rotary Club, which says it has been supporting local charities and community groups across the city for 46 years.
“We’re proud to partner with Brighton & Hove Soirée Rotary Club, whose community spirit and compassion reflect our own values. Funds raised will be split between our organisations, helping us empower local people, tackle homelessness and build brighter, more independent futures. We cannot wait to open the doors to Steine House and welcome guests!”
Marie Claire Macintosh, YMCA Brighton
YMCA Brighton supports adults in the city facing homelessness, complex mental health challenges, financial hardship and addiction, as well as survivors of domestic violence. It says 456 people engaged with its services in 2025/26, that it provided 52,884 hours of support, and that 308 people were given a home through its supported housing.
“We’re delighted to join forces with our corporate member, YMCA Brighton, for this special coffee morning. Through fundraising and hands-on support, club members help local charities tackle issues including food poverty, homelessness, isolation and family hardship. By working together like this, we can achieve more for our community.”
Linda Hodgson, Brighton & Hove Soirée Rotary Club
How to book
What. Regency Coffee Morning Fundraiser, with cakes, refreshments and a talk.
When. Friday 20 November 2026, 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Where. Steine House, 55 Old Steine, Brighton BN1 1NX.
Tickets. £12 per person, with only 50 available, according to the organisers.
Booking. Through Eventbrite. More about the charity is on the YMCA Brighton website, and the Rotary club lists its events on the Soirée Rotary events site.
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