Grimsby Heritage - The Yarborough Hotel

The Yarborough Hotel was built in 1851 to cater for the increased trade expected from the new railway, which had just reached the Lincolnshire coast. It is one of the town's best-known landmarks and was built by the second Earl of Yarborough who was chairman of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company.

The most sensational event in the hotel's history happened when it was only eleven years old. This was described as the "Yarborough Riot". It was the scene of a bitter political riot and a great deal of damage was caused as election fever gripped an angry crowd and erupted into violence. Kidnapped voters were allegedly held in the hotel! A stone, which was thrown through the window during this riot is on display in the Time Trap museum.

At one time the gentleman's smoke room, with its old fashioned armchairs emblazoned with "M.S.& L", was the favourite meeting place of all the town's dignitaries.

The Yarborough Hotel has now been converted into a pub owned by J.D. Wetherspoons. It has recently been voted Grimsby and Cleethorpes pub of the year by the Campaign for Real Ale.

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