Our history

The History of The Lion Ballroom

A Grand Vision (1839–1843)
Established by James Woodhouse, the Lion Hotel was created by merging two historic buildings into one of Leominster’s premier coaching inns. Its crowning jewel, the Lion Assembly Room, was designed by architect John Collins and opened in 1843 with a magnificent inaugural dinner.

An Era of Change (1853–1974)
The arrival of the railway in 1853 saw the decline of traditional coaching inns. By 1861, the building transitioned into the Lion Implement Warehouse. For over a century, the grand ballroom served as a unique showroom for everything from delicate furnishings to heavy farm machinery.

Restoration & Legacy (1975–Present)
In 1975, the Hinton family undertook a meticulous restoration to save the then-derelict ballroom. Following expert repairs to its ornate plasterwork, the building was awarded Grade II listed status* in 1980. Today, the Lion Ballroom stands as a beautifully preserved venue for concerts, weddings, and community life.