Midland Hotel, Victorian railway hotel near Derby Station, England
The Midland Hotel is a four-story red brick building near Derby Station featuring seven bays across its front with decorative stone frames and small balconies. The structure was designed as lodging for travelers, with multiple meeting rooms integrated into its layout.
Built in 1841 by Thomas Jackson for the North Midland Railway, it is the world's oldest railway hotel still in operation today. Its creation marked the beginning of purpose-built accommodation designed specifically for rail travelers.
The hotel served as a gathering point for railway travelers, making it a social hub where merchants and dignitaries mixed during their journeys. Its spaces reflected the importance that the arrival of rail transport brought to the town's identity and daily rhythms.
The hotel is located directly adjacent to Derby Station, making it easy to access both trains and the city center. Visitors should note that it remains in active use, so the best time to view it is during business hours when the building's interior and courtyard are accessible.
The building was originally connected to the railway station through underground passages that ran beneath the cellars, allowing guests to move between locations without going outside. These hidden tunnels reveal how the designers thought about convenience and protection from the weather for travelers in the 1840s.
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