The History of Patterdale (Goldrill House)
Learn more about the history of our new centre in Patterdale. From Goldrill House to being part of Delta Academies Trust, go on the full journey here:
Goldrill House Hostel was gifted to Leonard for his retirement, he left it to the YHA as one of it’s first youth hostels.
Goldrill House Hostel opened at Whitsun (initially called Ullswater that year).
In 1940, Goldrill House was temporarily closed to the public to be used for the evacuation of schoolgirls from the North-East. It reopened to the public in July 1942.
In 1945, Goldrill was passed onto the YHA Trust.
YHA made the bold decision for the complete removal of the building, a striking modern design would be put in its place.
With that plan in mind, Goldrill House closed its doors for demolition in 1967.
The new Patterdale centre opened to the public in July 1971 with an official opening ceremony latter that year in October.
If faced several unexpected delays during this time.
The new Patterdale was refurbished with new alterations and additions to the structure of the building over 1988.
In 2012, the new Patterdale (alongside Helvellyn) was considered for closure due to being overdue for refurbishment. It was officially put on the closure list in 2014 before a new manager, Ellie Parkinson, took over and brought it back to life.
In April 2024, New Patterdale was taken over by Delta Academies Trust to provide new outdoor opportunities for students across the North with their first group visiting the centre in July.
As a Trust, we plan to transform Patterdale into a space similar to that of Dallowgill but catered more towards our secondary students and by extension our Duke of Edinburgh groups.
Want more context?
All information and imagery used from before Delta Academies Trust took over Patterdale, can be found in the document linked below. Click here to see more about the centre.