The Park Hotel
The Park Hotel, East Cliff
The Park Hotel, East Cliff, privately owned, not in use, poor state of repair. Security has been improved and break ins have reduced.
Whilst not been empty for quite as long as the nearby St. Joseph’s Orphanage, it has also been a target for Urban Explorers and has suffered a lot of vandalism. Fortunately, as of September 2025, there doesn’t appear to have been any break-ins that have resulted in serious fire.
This article from the BBC website describes plans for Preston’s Park Hotel to welcome guests for first time in 70 years:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-68185043
There have been some delays with the planning applications, but things seem to be moving again. The ‘Farington Square’ redevelopment, in which the former hotel is included, will be undertaken by The Heaton Group.
The Park Hotel History
The former Park Hotel was built in 1883 as a railway hotel catering to passengers travelling through Preston. Former guests are reported to have included the future King Edward VII, Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin and Gracie Fields. Its strategic, landmark location offers scenic views of the surrounding parklands and is a key feature of views in the Avenham Conservation Area, which is notable for its mixture of townhouses, attractive views, and listed parks. Both Miller Park and Avenham Park are Grade II* listed and were designed by landscape designer Edward Milner in 1861 and 1864, respectively. Milner (1819-1884) was originally apprenticed to Sir Joseph Paxton, best known for designing the Crystal Palace. Miller and Avenham parks are considered significant as early examples of municipal park. The location of the hotel is therefore extremely sensitive as it is so prominent and affects numerous other heritage assets around it.
The hotel structure was used as offices by Lancashire County Council for a number of decades. The administrators of Lancashire County Council’s own pension fund took ownership of the site in 2016. In 2020, the adjoining 1960s office tower was demolished.
