Buildings of Distinction - The Park Hotel - Preston

Buildings of Distinction - The Park Hotel - Preston

Jul, 14 2025


In the late 19th century travellers to Preston would make frequent visits to what was then called the Railway Station Hotel when it was opened to the public in 1883. It welcomed both royalty and politicians during the many years it was in operation.

It was then renamed The Park Hotel and became a railway-owned hotel located at East Cliff and was later used for several years as offices by the local council.

The hotel was operated jointly by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway and London and North Western Railway. In the 1923 grouping of railway companies, ownership passed to the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. When the UK's railways were nationalised in 1948, it passed to the British Transport Commission's Hotels Executive, and thence to British Transport Hotels, who sold it in 1950.

It was subsequently used as offices, and renamed 'East Cliff County Offices' by Lancashire County Council, who also had a modern annexe, adjacent.

The former hotel is in a picturesque setting as it sits between the ever so popular Miller Park and Avenham Park and is seen as a red brick building overlooking the Preston railway station.

This 4 minute 10 second film is a birds eye view of The Park Hotel –

If you’re looking for historical artefacts you can visit the National Railway Museum at York. Here you will fascinating objects dating back to pre-1923. These range from –

  • Mappin & Webb cutlery
  • Elkington & Co. tableware and candlesticks the latter marked with the initials "P.P."
  • Lamb and flag, the coat of arms of the city.

Simply visit the following website link -

https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/

Five years ago the modern office tower was demolished as part of a plan by the council to restore the hotel to operation. That operation has still not surfaced to the light of day. In 2023, conversion plans were discussed by local architects yet that same year it was met with damage and vandalism and it currently lies empty and decaying.

If restoration does finally take place it could redeem it’s former glory and bring in substantial trade and tourism into the city. Organisers are hopeful for the following –

  • A flexible working space
  • A gym within the hotel building will be reserved for the use of guests
  • A café/restaurant on the ground floor will be open to the public.

For the veteran people of Preston they’ve seen it riding high and for many it may seem like pie in the sky especially as it’s deteriorated so much in recent years. But that little bit of hope may inspire and motivate organisers to make this dream a reality. We all cherish our place of birth and for the people of Preston this could change not just them but the landscape of the city and Miller Park itself.

^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger