Compiled by Matthew Cole | Last Updated on Tuesday 5th May 2026
Further features about the history of Ryelands are linked below. For a general introduction to Ryelands House, please visit our “About Ryelands House” Page
Before the Nineteenth Century, Ryelands was used for farming, droving, and as a resting place for travellers.
1833
Land at Ryelands was bought for £8,700 by Jonathan Dunn of Lune Cottage, a carriage-builder who was twice Mayor of Lancaster and a director of Lancaster’s first railway company. Within two years Dunn had built Ryelands House and lived there with his family and staff.
1857
On the death of Jonathan Dunn, Ryelands passed to his son Thomas Rowlandson Dunn.
1874
Ryelands and its its 93-acre estate were bought for £24,500 by James Williamson Snr., former Mayor of Lancaster and founder of Williamson’s linoleum manufacturers.
1879
On the death of James Williamson Snr. Ryelands passed to his son James, who became Lancaster’s MP and was later Lord Ashton.
1883
Lancaster architects Paley & Austin undertook significant extension to Ryelands House, including its tower and conservatory.
1922
Part of the Ryelands estate’s lands were sold to Lancaster Corporation to make way for the new Road to Morecambe.
1930s
On the death of Lord Ashton, Ryelands was bought by Lancaster City Council.
• Lancaster Secrets: Lune Villa, Skerton’s connection with Beatrix Potter, Romance and Tragedy
Work started on Ryelands housing estate of 346 homes, and the 46-acre recreational park with its bandstand, football and cricket pitches, tennis courts and bowling green.
The House was used as a location for an annual exhibition of work by members of Skerton Women’s Evening Institute in 1936 and further exhibitions in 1937. Evening Institutes were open to all women over 17 years of age, and provided instruction in a wide range subjects.
Its work encouraging artists was seen as complementary to that at the Storey Institute and Queen Street Women’s Institute, and Dallas Road School, for Junior work.
At the opening of their meeting in March 1937, its chair, Mrs Walsh, declared the finest answer to “Nazism, Communism, Fascism and State officialism” was to “swamp the countries with Women’s Evening Institutes.” (British Newspaper Archive link, subscription required for access). The home was the foundation of the Empire, she explained, and women were the guiding Influence of the home. “Why need England tremble?” she asked.
A post World War Two news item notes the Women’s Institute began to use Ryelands House for meetings in 1932, with 126 enrolled members; rising to 326 before the war began.
It was also a meeting place for the Skerton Aged Men’s Rest Association, who held their annual supper there, attended by many local dignataries, including the Mayor and Mayoress, in December 1936 (British Newspaper Archive link).
Other groups using the House included the North Lancashire Rural Book Club; the Lancaster and District Sub-Committee for the Welfare of the Blind, who held their annual garden party, attended by the Mayor and Mayoress.
The House was also used to local election voting counts.
In 1938, Ryelands House was being used for pre-natal and ante-natal clinics, by the Lancaster and District Joint Hospital Board, as part of a wider extension of health services before the war, services that expanded under the Local Government Act of 1929. (Although the 1918 Maternity and Child Welfare Act was the real start of things, nationally, in Lancaster, infant welfare clinics were established before the Great War).
Five fully trained health visitors attended Ryelands House every Monday, and in 1936, 169 children attended for the first time and there was average attendance per session of 67.
Bowling tournaments, hosted by Lady Ashton, were a regular occurrence in the grounds, for the Lady Ashton Challenge Cup.
As potential war loomed, in 1938, a request was submitted from the Chief Constable for permission from the Council to store gas masks in certain available rooms at Ryelands House, and granted. By September 1938, some 14,300 masks were stored in Ryelands House (as well as 30,000 at the Town Hall), and the difficulty of arranging for the storage of civilian respirators had been overcome.
The “A” and “B” Sections of the Air Raid Patrol Workers (described as “a special organisation trained for the purpose of assisting and advising the general public in the event of an emergency”) held their first Dance And Whist Drive in Ryelands House in December 1938.
1939-45
By February 1939, Ryelands House was declared the depot for Skerton district, and two demolition and rescue squads, one decontamination squad, two road repair squads were to be stationed there, with the necessary transport, one gas squad, three water department squads with three lorries, two auxiliary fire brigade squads and three first-aid parties.
The use of the House for war preparation quickly expanded, with Ryelands House Stables turned into a Decontamination Station. Ryelands House kitchens were also used for the regular preparation of food for some 700 local schoolchildren, as part of the “British Restaurant” scheme. Thousands of meals were prepared throughout the war years, in part to support evacuees from the London, grateful thanks for that work received from London County Council and the Mayor of Ilford, in September 1945.
Despite the war, the House and Park continued to be used for events, including Lancaster Bowling Club events, supported by Lady Ashton. The Women’s Institute also continued with art exhibitions, as did meetings of the Skerton Aged Men’s Association.
Post war, initial agreement by the Council for Ryelands House to be the location of a temporary library was made in December 1945, but in March 1946, the Lancaster Education Executive decided to “deprecate” the proposal, after concerns from the Women’s Evening Institute. This met with astonishment at a long council meeting the following month, councillors agreeing to lease the building to the Divisional Education Executive for two years.
By 1947, it was agreed the House should be used for education purposes to the fullest extent, the Divisional Education Committee operating one basis of an annual tenancy “for adult education and other purposes“.
It was the location of concerts, too, from March 1948, organised by the Lancashire Education Committee for the Skerton Evening Adult Education Centre. The first was given by violinist Olive Margison, accompanied by the Choral Group.
It was also used again for local election counts.
A library was finally announced for the House in April 1949, after some work to adapt its chose location had been completed. Tenders were called in August 1949, to alter existing buildings at Ryelands House for the purpose.
1950s & 1960s
A regular summer circus by renowned companies including Chipperfields and Billy Smart’s brought clowns, acrobats and performing animals to Ryelands.
Skerton Branch Library at Ryelands House was finally opened on by the Mayor of Lancaster, Coun G. Chirnside, on Friday 13th April 1951, opening every day except Sunday. The hope was that it would “ease congestion” and demand for books at Lancaster’s Central Library.
The new library occupied what was once the loft above the stables at Ryelands House, and “must be one of the brightest and most attractive branch libraries In the country,” the Lancaster Guardian reported. “Book shelves are coloured pillar-box red, in contrast from the cream distempered walls. Furniture throughout Is of light oak, set on a floor of mottled light red rubber squares. The original beams of the loft have been varnished, and fluorescent lighting installed. The whole gives an effect of airy spaciousness, and will attract even the most critical borrower.
Mr. O. S. Bland. P.S.A., F.R.SA.. the City Librarian, stated that there were three reasons why Skerton should have a library of Its own, namely: it contained a third of the City’s population; It is separated by the Lune from the rest of Lancaster; and old or Infirm people have found It rather big task to get to the main library.
The selection of books at present available was “experimental” would be some time before the special needs of the district could be gauged. Staffed by two librarians it was intended it would provide a 23-hour-weekly service.
There were two sections. Juvenile and Adult, the former being equipped with small stools for the children. The total stock of books on opening was detailed as 6000, of which 2000 were In the Juvenile section. People who wished borrow reference books, or books dealing with local history still had to go to the Public Library in Market Square.
The Library was initially very successful, with a report in June 1952 noting some 63,378 volumes were issued in just over eleven and a half months.
June 1951 also saw Council discussion about the building of concrete cricket pitches in place of grass. Cricketers had complained about the condition of pitches, but it was felt quoted costs for concrete pitches were too high, and would not be welcomed by players.
By December that year, it was hoped by some that the success of Ryelands House offered a model for a similar community centre based at Parkfield House in the north of the city. But financial considerations at the time, in stark contrast to the Council’s pre war capacities, meant the proposal was voted down.
Ryelands House played a part in helping those impacted by local floods in 1953 and 1954. In 1954, floods impacted rail services and saw flooding in places such as Willow Lane, Lancaster, Galgate and Six Arches caravan site in Scorton.
The Skerton Branch of the Old Age Pensioners Association – their numbers 500 strong in May 1953 – had monthly meetings in Ryelands House, entertained by organisations such as the Fireside Group, St. Luke’s Church Youth Fellowship Concert Party, the Lancaster Red Rose Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society , and The Ribble Concert Party (the latter gaining one of the Association’s biggest audiences ever at a show in April 1957).
The Lancaster Horticultural Society also met there, and events were also organised for local widows by Mrs. A.E. Wilson of Lymn Avenue, her dedicated work earning her the thanks of the Mayor and others in 1953.
it was also a meeting place for the Lancaster, Morecambe and District Homebound Disabled Fellowship, which was formed in the 1950s to give disabled people in the area a chance to enjoy social interests, “despite their disablement and to provide companionship for those unable to leave their homes”.
After eight months of planning, June 1953 saw residents of Mayfield Avenue, Moreley Road and Granville Road on the Hareruns Estate finally stage a parade of 150 children in fancy costumes, which made for colourful scenes as the procession toured the streets and paraded through Ryelands Park to Ryelands House. A tea party in Ryelands House was followed by a concert and each child was presented with a souvenir, crown piece and sweets by officials of the ladies’ committee. Afterwards, prizes were given for sports.
In September 1953, the Lancaster Guardian reported women were queuing for over two hours to enrol for Skerton Women’s Evening Institute courses. Some 750 enrolled in one day, similar numbers to the previous year, with up to one thousand expected by close of enrolment, but it would have been more, had the WI not been “cramped for space”.
Lancashire Education Committee advertised for a new Part-Tme Head Teacher for Skerton Women’s Evening Institute at Ryelands House, in October 1953, to commence 1st January, 1954.
Early 1954 saw debate over the use of Ryelands House as a wedding reception venue, concerns raised by the Parks Committee that “intoxicating drinks” might be served. Their concerns were later overruled; by 1955, the House had also became a regular venue for such events.
In December 1953, it was announced a room in Ryelands House was to be rented at £26 year from Lancaster Corporation for the use of a recently appointed speech therapist.
The derationing of food in 1954 brought with it an upsurge in interest in winter cookery classes organised by then firmly established Skerton Women’s Evening Institute at Ryelands House. (It’s clear from contemporary reports the organisation had plenty of influence in what went on at the community centre).
The Lancaster Guardian reported many new students were among the 700 who enrolled for winter classes, although the numbers were similar to last year’s enrolment. Dressmaking was also a popular subject.
The girls of St. Thomas’s Girls’ School also used Ryelands House facilities for domestic science classes.
February 1955 sees the first note that Ryelands House is being prepared as a location for a proposed practical instruction centre, badly needed by local secondary schools. This coincided with discussion of an urgent need for a new school in Hornby.
In early 1955, the Skerton Branch of the National Federation of Old Age Pensions Associations, which met regularly at Ryelands House, was just one local organisation joining the campaign for pensions to be a national responsibility, budgeted for by the Chancellor.
May 1955 saw local companies invited by the County Council to tender for the building of a the previously-reported “Practical Room” for secondary schools. It was later being used, for example, by “severely disabled men”, for woodwork lessons in 1959, a project sponsored by the Divisional Health Authority.
Sadly, not all the users of the Park were welcome. August 1955 sees the a report of vandalism, a growing concern, alongside damage in other parks and green spaces in the city.
October 1956 saw the official opening of an “Old Folks Clinic” by Mayor of Lancaster, Coun. Mrs. H. Daniel. The Mayor said that she knew from personal experience that much more could be done by the Lancaster Old People’s Welfare Committee, if they had greater financial resources at their disposal. A new chiropody clinic came into operation on 7th September and had already proved “a boon and comfort to the old folks who have gone there for expert treatment”.
The Ryelands Players of Skerton’s Women’s Evening Institute Drama Group earned high praise for their choice of play, performed in the Little Theatre, in March 1957. Local residents Jane Masheder and Edith Cragg were singles out for a mention for their performances in Repent at Leisure.
The John Barbirolli Music Club, founded by Miss Marion MacMillan, joined the organisations hosting events at Ryelands House in 1957. The Club, which by 1958 also planned to offer outings to concerts and visits from people interested in music was, the Lancaster Guardian reported in September 1958, “another success for its founder who has run similar clubs in Bristol, St. Annes-on-Sea, and Edinburgh, where the group took part in one of the Edinburgh festivals. The Lancaster club ended its season with 30 members and it is expected that there will he many new members this winter.”
Membership of the club was open to young people under 21 playing any instrument, but, apparently, there was a particular need for flute and viola players. Youngest member at the moment is a nine-year-old boy trumpeter and the eldest is 18 years old.
Miss MacMillan, who with her husband also founded the Lancaster School of Violin and Cello at Stoney Mount on Derwent Road, emphasised that students at any stage were welcomed. In its second season, the club had two sections, one for absolute beginners and one for members doing more advanced work.
The 1950s saw the highest prevalence in the UK of Polio, known scientifically as Poliomyelitis, an infectious disease linked to crippling deformities in thousands of individuals globally, and death. It has been effectively controlled in the UK since the advent of the oral polio vaccine created by Sabin and the inactivated poliovirus vaccine created by Salk in the late 1950s. The disease was feared, but initial take up of the vaccine was slow when it was first rolled out in 1958. The death of 29-year-old Birmingham City and England footballer Jeff Hall in April 1959, and subsequent media coverage, led to widespread public acceptance in Britain of the need for vaccination.
Ryelands House was just one venue used for vaccination as demand quickly spiked in late April 1959, particularly among younger people who had previously been reticent about vaccination.
There was praise too, that year, for the work of the Aged Men’s Rest Association for encouraging comradeship.
1960s & 1970s
Ryelands was the home of a range of adult education and recreation programmes led by groups including the Women’s Institute, the Workers’ Educational Association and the Lancaster & District Choral Society. The building remained in periodic use for adult education in subsequent years.
January 12960 saw Lancashire Education Committee advertise for a male caretaker for Ryelands House, with an offered wage £9.05.6d. for a 44 hour week, “with additional payments for evening lettings”.
The vaccination campaign against polio continued, as reported in March 1960, offered to anyone between 15 – 40 not already vaccinated.
Despite the counter attractions of television and the rival organisations which were developing around them, Skerton Women’s Evening Institute had many new members in all age groups join various classes, 858 in all for 1960 – although there was disappointment from head teacher Miss M. Whittaker that the drama group had not functioned and that a class for ballroom dancing had not lasted the term.
July 1960 saw an end to chiropody services at a room at Ryelands House through the kindness of the Divisional Medical Officer, just ione aspect of the local service, duties handed over to the County Council.
1980s & 1990s
The cost of the upkeep of Ryelands led Lancaster City Council to consider selling or even demolishing it in the 1980s and 1990s, but public affection for this symbol of Lancaster’s heritage meant it remained a community asset providing services including special educational needs support and health care until the closure of the house in 2023.
Organisations using the House for meetings in the 1980s included Lancaster Cycling Club.
The park, of course, continues to provide for the benefit of the people of Lancaster.
• Learn more about the recent history of Ryelands House
Compiled by Matt Cole, with additional input from John Freeman and Simon Gershon