Glenridding House, Ullswater

Glenridding House is a Regency era building in Glenridding on Ullswater, constructed between 1807 and 1814. It was a private summer villa until about 1860 and then became a guest house. It has recently been fully restored and is now a country house bed and breakfast and wedding venue. The building is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.

The Reverend Henry Askew (1766-1852) who was the Rector of Greystoke, built the house in about 1810. Records show that he bought the land from John Mounsey who owned the Manor of Glenridding, in 1807. His house was completed by 1814. This is known because in this year William Green, the famous English landscape painter published a series of prints each of which was described. The description for No 53 called “Ullswater Head” (which is shown) states “the house not long ago erected by Rev Henry Askew is on the right.”

Henry was born in 1766 in Lancashire. His father Anthony Askew was a doctor and owned Storrs Hall In Lancashire. In 1799 Henry married Anne Sunderland who was the daughter of the well known artist Thomas Sunderland. In about 1820 Thomas drew a view of Ullswater in which he included Glenridding House. This drawing is shown. He also drew a picture of the house which he called “The Rev Askew’s House at Glenridding”. This artwork is held by the Fitzwilliam Museum.

Henry died in 1852 and his son Henry William Askew sold the property. The advertisement for the sale in 1854 contained the following description.

To be sold on the banks of Ullswater, one mile from Patterdale, the Mansion House of Glenridding with 25 acres of land sloping down to the lake including most productive gardens and pleasure grounds with green and hot houses in full bearing.

The house contains dining room, drawing room (40 foot long), morning room, 8 bed rooms, 4 dressing rooms, 3 water closets and ample accommodation for servants. Also offices and cellars, coach houses and stabling for 10 horses and gardener’s house.

The above is one of the most admired places in the Lake District and the scenery stands unrivalled.

A daily post passes and re-passes the gate as does also two four horse coaches during the summer.

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Wikipedia