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Originally built in 1818 for William Berry, a wealthy businessman (comb maker) who had shipping interests in the estuary. Ashmeadow House was described as “a gentleman’s residence of character and distinction”.

The house was bought by James Barnes in 1918 and he converted it into a boys boarding school. Over the years, Barnes added a swimming pool, two fives courts, tennis courts, fishponds and an aviary. A special attraction was a model railway running through the plantation on the hill to the south of the house. Sadly, none of these facilities survived to the present day.

James Barnes was, eventually, in 1941, to be succeeded as headmaster by his son, John A.G. Barnes, who, an ex-pupil of the School, had gone on to gain a Cambridge degree. He returned, around 1935, to become an assistant master on the school staff. On marrying, his wife, Dorothy, was to become a help to mother-in-law, Mrs. Celia Barnes, and thereby one of the mainstays of the domestic side of the school until John Barnes’ retirement in December 1968.

In its heyday, Earnseat School had been able to board and educate between 60 and 70 boys with around 6 permanent staf and a number of part-time specialists. Particular attention was given to outdoor activities, the school having its own minibus transport, a dinghy and a number of canoes in its later days. Many pupils gained places at public schools, notably Sedbergh, progressed to university, and went on to be very successful civil servants, scientists, engineers, businessmen and army officers. As with many boarding schools a number of pupils had parents who, living in the colonies, desired an English school education for their sons.

In 1966, ‘Earnseat’ became an Educational Trust school. With the retirement of Mr. Barnes, Mr. R. Cleveland took over as headmaster in January 1969. The school finally closed, as a boarding school in 1979.

 

From 1979 the house and gardens fell in to disrepair and in the early 1980s the remaining properties were leased and occupied by an adventure-training establishment, Lakeland Training. This unit brought young people to Arnside, largely from the deprived inner areas of cities such as Manchester. These youngsters received instruction in outdoor pursuits such as hiking and orienteering, caving and kayaking. The scheme was very successful until about 1990 when it was declared bankrupt despite the backing of various large companies. 

In 2003 the property underwent a comprehensive rebuilding and renovation programme. The rear unlisted section was demolished and a new wing added which along with the refurbished Georgian portion created 11 one bedroom apartments, communal rooms and facilities.

 

 

Pulse Prestige Properties then acquired the building in 2020 and undertook a comprehensive series of works to convert the house into 10 high specification apartments and to restore the “character and distinction” of the original building whilst balancing this with the latest in design, comfort and luxury.

 

Ashmeadow House

The Promenade

Arnside

Cumbria

LA5 0AD

A development by Pulse Partnerships

in association with

NDT Properties and The DCI.