The Albion Inn dates from the 17th century when it was one of four coaching inns in the busy market town of Wimborne Minster. In those days it went by the name of the New Inn, today only two of the original four coaching inns remain, the oldest being the Albion.

In 1756 the first meeting of the Poole Turnpike Trustees took place at the Albion, this was in order to raise money for the building and maintenance of local roads. In the late 18th century a royal coach called at the Albion containing the monarch King George III seeking a vessel of ale for refreshment. He was on his way to Weymouth (in those days Melcombe Regis) whereby he popularised coastal towns and bathing in the sea, hence many towns on the south coast have the word 'Regis' in their title.

In the mid 19th century the Albion was the most important inn in the town housing both the magistrates court and being used as a school house during the rebuilding of the local school. In 1834 the Tolpuddle Martyrs having been found guilty and sentenced to deportation to Australia called at the Albion on their way from Dorchester assizes.