The Wynnstay Arms Hotel by Marston's Inns

The Wynnstay Arms Hotel in Wrexham dates back to the early 18th century, when it first operated as a coaching inn known as The George. By the mid 18th century, the inn had established itself as a regular stop for coaches, postal services, and town gatherings. The property later became known as The Eagles, reflecting its ownership by the Williams Wynn family of Ruabon, one of the most influential families in the region at the time. Beyond its role as a coaching inn, the property became a discreet meeting place for political discussion.

During the 19th century, the Wynnstay Arms remained a key social hub in Wrexham and was closely linked to the town’s civic life. One of its most significant moments occurred in February 1876, when a meeting held at the hotel led to the formation of the Football Association of Wales. This resulted in a trial match on 12 February 1876 and the arrangement of Wales’s first international match against Scotland on 25 March 1876.

In April 2010, the hotel was acquired by Stephanie Booth, but it closed in July 2011 after her company entered administration due to financial difficulties, with KPMG appointed as administrators. Later that same month, the Wynnstay Arms was acquired by Marston’s brewery, which carried out refurbishment works. The hotel reopened to the public on 19 April 2012 as a Marston’s Inn, offering bar and dining facilities along with 27 en suite guest rooms, continuing its long history as a familiar presence in central Wrexham.

The Wynnstay Arms Hotel sits on Yorke Street in central Wrexham, at the eastern end of the High Street, and has evolved across multiple storeys through several phases of use and redevelopment. At ground level, the main entrance opens into the public bar and restaurant, which continue to function as the primary social spaces. Above this are 47 en suite guest bedrooms, along with event and conference facilities. The property is wheelchair accessible and includes toilet facilities fitted with grab rails, supporting a range of accessibility needs.

Toward the rear, parts of the structure include late 19th-century brick-fronted sections, adapted from earlier timber-framed construction. What really defines the Wynnstay Arms is its mid-18th-century Georgian frontage, which has survived decades of change. The symmetrical facade and the ornate cast-iron balcony remain its most recognizable features and reflect the practical but confident style of the period.

This frontage is protected through the building’s Grade II listing, designated on 30 May 1951. The rear sections of the hotel were partially demolished and rebuilt to suit a more modern use. While much of the original building behind the scenes was replaced, the historic front was kept intact, allowing the Wynnstay Arms to adapt over time while still holding its place in Wrexham’s townscape.