Midland Hotel Oval Whisky Flask

This ingenious bottle was designed to ensure the traveller’s favourite tipple did not topple as they sped across the country, and more – something to lift the spirits of any explorer. With ties to Derby’s marvellous railway heritage, this well-travelled item provides a clear link to valuable local heritage and is very worthy of adoption and preservation.

Described as a ‘whisky flask’, this bottle would have held enough liquid to keep spirits up over a lengthy expedition. The flat design of the vessel means it could be laid down on a table to prevent it from falling, breaking or spilling its contents due to the motion of a train or other mode of transport. Additionally, it could also be readily packed in a bag or slipped into a large pocket – very clever indeed.

Turning to the ‘Midland Hotel Derby’; the hotel opened in 1841 at the arrival of a mainline railway in Derby and by 1860 it had been acquired by the Midland Railway Co. Based in Derby, the Midland Railway was one of the largest railway companies in Britain and, amongst its ventures, were a suite of railway hotels. Many of these hotels were called the Midland Hotel; the one in Derby being the first.

To offer the traveller the very best experience, the Midland Railway developed its hotels into some of the finest in the country, offering luxurious accommodation, fine dining and the very highest level of service. One can imagine, a flask of whisky being offered to help travellers ‘endure’ their time on a noisy, smelly and potentially uncomfortable train.

The Derby Midland hotel still operates today, although maybe not quite to the standard of its heyday, when this flask would have been used.