Gazetteer of
British Place Names

Stonyhurst College is a Catholic private school about four miles south-west of Clitheroe in Lancashire. It is the oldest Jesuit School in the world and famous for its connections to former pupils Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and JRR Tolkien. A precursor institution of the college was founded in 1593 by Father Robert Persons SJ, at a time when penal laws prohibited Catholic education in England. After moving to Bruges in 1762 and Liège in 1773 the college was headed for oblivion but for the generosity of an old boy, Thomas Weld, who intervened. Weld's enormous benefaction enabled the expatriated school to establish itself on English soil in 1794 when it was granted the Stonyhurst estate. Since the Second World War, the buildings have been refurbished or developed. Additions include new science buildings in the 1950s and 1960s, a new boarding wing in the 1960s, a new swimming pool in the 1980s and Weld House in 2010. It provides boarding and day education to approximately 450 boys and girls aged 13–18. During the school holidays, the College plays host to a multitude of residential lettings including religious retreats, international language schools and extra-curricular camps. The college also holds the oldest museum in the English-speaking world. Its a Grade I listed building and the school has been fully co-educational since 1999. It is within the council area of Ribble Valley (Lancashire).
Historic England Grade I Listed 1419714.

Place Type: Mediæval House
Historic County: Lancashire
Lat, Long: 53.847161,-2.471904
Grid Reference: SD690390
Police Area: Lancashire
Council Area: Ribble Valley (Lancashire)
Civil Parish: Aighton, Bailey and Chaigley CP
Country: England

GBPNID: 304728
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Stonyhurst_College,_Lancashire_304728

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