Maurice Dybeck, archivist and historian of the Brathay Trust, recalls the history of a lovely old building at the head of England’s longest lake.

At the north end of Windermere sits Brathay Hall, an impressive 18th century Georgian house.

Behind the beautifully designed façade, the elegant reception rooms once entertained the likes of Wordsworh, Coleridge and the world-renowned landscape artist John Constable.

Today the hall, and the surrounding land, is used by the Brathay Trust, a national charity that empowers young people, helping them to make a positive contribution to society.

This once-impressive family home now welcomes thousands of youngsters every year, all eager to benefit from the house, the landscape and Brathay’s world class personal development training team.

But how did such an architectural gem become such an important part of the educational landscape?

Brathay Hall was built in 1798 by businessman George Law, the son of an attorney, who was involved in Backbarrow ironworks. On Law’s death, in the West Indies in 1802, the house passed to his son, Henry and in 1804 he in turn rented it to John Harden, a gentleman with connections in Edinburgh and Dublin.

Fascinating diary records exist of Harden’s family life at Brathay during this period. He was a keen amateur artist and many local worthies were drawn into his circle. The house was visited by Coleridge, and Constable, who sketched various family groups, while Old Brathay, the adjoining house, was visited by Coleridge, de Quincey and the Wordsworths.

Then, for almost a century, the hall belonged to the successful draper, Giles Redmayne, and his family. However, at various times the property was rented out and notable tenants included a certain Dr Arnold, headmaster of the famous Rugby school.

In 1939, Francis Scott, owner of the Provincial Insurance Company, based in Kendal, bought the property with a view to protecting it from development and devoting it to a worthy purpose. In 1946, Scott finally fulfilled his dream when he founded the Brathay Hall Trust “...for the education of young persons of both sexes from industry, for research into questions affecting the education of such persons, for the instruction of staff, and for any other (related) charitable purposes.”

Scott was acutely aware of the need not only to provide activities for young people but also to supply training for youth leaders and senior club members.

Unfortunately the war years brought a temporary halt to his visionary work. However, in 1947 Scott’s long-established connection with the Boys Clubs Association led to him founding his first venture.

Brathay Hall became the base for the National Association of Boys Clubs courses ‘Holidays with Purpose’. These one-week residential courses, directed by warden Dick Faithfull-Davies, delivered a variety of activities, including boating, fell walking, camping, art, drama, and discussions, all of which served “to open windows” in the otherwise greatly restricted lives of young lads from the dingy cities and slums of the North.

The Brathay Hall Trust was finally up and running and Brathay Hall would never be the same again.