Site

Previous Next

ALNMOUTH ROAD 1. 5330 (North Side) Alnbank House NU 1912 6/121 II 2. Approached by a drive. Early-mid C19. Two storeys and 3 windows to south. Ashlar built with side piers. Paired cut brackets to eaves, double pitched hipped slate roof. Moulded plinth course. Glazing bar sash windows. Entrance on east side recessed and flanked by piers and with moulded entablature on corner piers. Three windows on this front and a smart rubblework 2 window extension. The interior has a fine fireplace and several rich mouldings. A late C19 conservatory to west.

Luke Hindmarsh (1802-1877), timber and leather merchant bought the land in 1840 and built Alnbank House.

Alnbank House was purchased by Northumberland County Council in 1972 to provide student accommodation at Alnwick College of Education. It was later used to provide care and support for up to 10 adults who have a learning disability. 

"On the south-west side of the town stands Swansfield, the residence of Prideaux Selby, Esq., which is a plain stone structure, situated in grounds of varied and picturesque character, and commands beautiful prospects and from Alnbank House and Freelands, the residences of the respective proprietors, Luke Hindmarsh, Esq., and Thomas Skelly, Esq., are also obtained fine views of the surrounding countryside" (Samuel Lewis Topographical Dictionary, 1845).

Alnbank House was purchased by Northumberland County Council in 1972 to provide student accommodation at Alnwick College of Education.

The owners have been:

Luke Hindmarsh 09/09/1840 - 25 /11/1881
Thomas Adam Hogg 25/11/1881 – 01/05/1935
Cuthbert Maurice Ropner 01/05/1935 - 15/04/1946
Algernon Smart 15/04/1946 - 25/03/1958
Walter Roche Lee 25/03/1958 – 23/06/60
Reginald Michael Pratt 23/06/60 – 15/06/1972
Northumberland County Council 15/06/1972 – 09/01/2015
Michael George Rogerson 09/01/2015 – present

The title deeds at each change of ownership revealed that the site has remained largely unchanged until the ownership of Northumberland County Council in 1972. The council
bought the house initially for the purpose of providing residential hostel accommodation for students attending Alnwick College of Education (a teacher training college).
3.6 In later years of County Council ownership, the hostel was to become more a home for people with learning difficulties. At some point during the council ownership, the
conservatory and greenhouses were removed when three walls of the walled garden were replaced with Leyland cypress hedging. We are not aware of any records granting
consent for these works.