Slepe Hall, St Ives

Slepe Hall, St Ives

History of Slepe Hall

In 1851 there were 33 occupants of the school. Rev Rugeley’s sister ran the school until she married. In 1860 the local vicar’s wife took over. It was then sold to a Mrs Marshall whose daughter Grace ran the school until she moved away in 1874.

Mrs Marshall sold the building in 1877 and members of the Free Church purchased the Hall and installed Rev Lloyd and his wife. Their daughter Martha was a key figure in the life of the school; she had studied in France and Germany, taught Anglo-Saxon and was the first woman to climb the Matterhorn. Martha’s mother died in 1913 and Martha ran the school until 1928.

1928 Hilda Newton, headmistress

1946 Miss Buckfield

1961 Miss Palmer

1962 – 1965 Miss Bebbington. In 1962 there were 116 pupils of which 53 were boarders. Tuition was £30 per term.

1965 Hall purchased by farmer George Brown and Ian Stiles, baker.

1966 became hotel.

See St Ives Civic Society website entry