Built in 1870, its Gothic style and use of local carboniferous limestone is an example of the early phase of the town’s development which is now scarce. Originally called the Station Hotel, it would have been visible across an open field from the railway station.
A gas lamp standard erected at the top of Station Road was presented by John Porter, the town’s principal architect, and this and the Station Hotel were both marked on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1875.
