Educating children since 1880
History really comes alive for the children at Belmont Grosvenor School. Our magnificent Gothic building and extensive grounds are themselves a huge educational resource.
They inspire each and every one of our pupils and give them the opportunity to experience and understand what life would have been like living in Swarcliffe Hall, as well as the family’s position, and the building’s prominence, in the locality.
Swarcliffe Hall – standing proudly in 20-acres of beautiful countryside overlooking the Nidd Valley with views as far afield as York and the Yorkshire Wolds – was built in 1850 by the Greenwood family.
The current building is the second house on the site – the original building, owned by the Blessard family, was constructed in 1800.
It has fine literary connections: Charlotte Bronte worked for a brief spell at the hall as a governess in 1839, perhaps gaining some inspiration for her later novel, Jane Eyre.
The house also has Royal connections. Prince Albert Victor, the Duke of Clarence, visited in 1888 and 1889 when he formally opened the New Bath Hospital in Harrogate.
The impressive gardens were originally quite an attraction for Victorian and Edwardian day trippers and are still home to rare species and boast one of the largest bamboo displays in the north of England.
During the last few years, the charitable trust which owns Belmont Grosvenor School has refurbished and modernised all the facilities whilst still retaining the character, charm, and beauty of Swarcliffe Hall.
