History

Waitby and Smardale school was built on Waitby Fell in 1680 by James Highmore, a native of Waitby and a cloth-worker in London. He endowed the school with £100 to be laid out in a rent charge. Among other bequests to the poor and the church on his death in 1684, his will left a further £300 to be laid out in the purchase of lands and £7 of the yearly profit to be employed for the benefit of the school.

From 1820 to 1860 Thomas Brunskill was the master. He was succeeded by William Waistell who had the school rebuilt by subscription in 1867. An engraved list of those who donated funds - and how much they gave - can still be read above the front entrance. William Waistell remained as master till 1890.
From 1907 to 1913 the school was closed and finally shut down as an educational establishment in the 1920s. The building was used as the Smardale village hall until it was abandoned in the late 1950s. In 1973 a local family bought the building and we have renovated it sympathetically, working closely with English Heritage.

We have retained many of the school's original features, including the wood panelling, double doors, the outside boys' lavatory, the school bell, original sink and coat hooks in the vestibule.

But we have incorporated 21st Century luxuries into the fabric of this historic building. Behind the traditional lime washed walls is the wiring for the flat screen television and sound entertainment system. Under-floor heating lies beneath the local stone flooring in the kitchen and the solid oak floor in the living room. And a Jacuzzi has been fitted in the master bedroom en-suite for the ultimate in holiday luxury.