Our history

The foundation stone of Barrow House (then known as Barrow Cascade House) was laid by Joseph Pocklington in 1787. Since then, the house has had an interesting variety of owners and uses, and we would like to share this history with you.

On this page we will gradually share all of the materials that have hitherto been stored in the History Box, deep in the cellar of Derwentwater Independent Hostel. It is a motley collection of maps, prints, images, and documents, all relating to Barrow House and its former occupants.

We have also included some links to extra sources of information. Please feel free to get in touch, ask questions, and become part of Barrow House history.

You can look at the archive catalogue by clicking here. A comprehensive survey of the house and grounds can be found by clicking here. 

Thanks to a visit by Judith Vincent (nee Stanley) we now have more information about Barrow House in the 1920s and early 1930s. Click here to see a presentation of the documents that she shared with us.

The Barrow House Photo Booklet that Robert Graham made in the 1950s.