Stonyhurst facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stonyhurst |
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 Stonyhurst
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| OS grid reference | SD684379 |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CLITHEROE |
| Police | Lancashire |
| Fire | Lancashire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
Stonyhurst is a large, historic estate in Lancashire, England, covering about 300 acres (1.2 square kilometers). It is owned by the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, a Catholic religious order. The estate is home to Stonyhurst College, a famous school, its junior school Stonyhurst Saint Mary's Hall, and the local church, St Peter's.
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Exploring the Stonyhurst Estate
The Stonyhurst estate is surrounded by beautiful natural features. The River Hodder forms one of its borders, and the village of Hurst Green is nearby. You can also see Longridge Fell, a local hill. Parts of the estate are even within the Forest of Bowland, which is a special area known for its outstanding natural beauty.
A Glimpse into Stonyhurst's Past
The history of Stonyhurst goes back a long way. The earliest record of the estate dates back to the year 1200, when it was known as "Stanihurst." Over many centuries, the land was owned by different families, including the Shireburns.
Later, in 1794, a man named Thomas Weld (of Lulworth) gave the estate to the Jesuits. He was a former student of their school, which had been located in Liège, Belgium. The Jesuits moved their school to Stonyhurst, and it has been there ever since.
Buildings of Stonyhurst
The main buildings on the estate are Stonyhurst College and Stonyhurst Saint Mary's Hall. These are Jesuit boarding schools, meaning students live there during term time. Together, they have about 800 students. The two schools are connected by paths through the woods, called Brothers' Walk. This path was used by older students to visit their younger brothers at the junior school.
Many teachers and Jesuit priests live and work on the estate. There are also workshops where skilled craftspeople maintain and restore the historic buildings. A large old mill, once used for grain, now serves as a sawmill.
St Peter's Church and the Observatory
The Church of St Peter is the local parish church for the nearby village of Hurst Green.
The Stonyhurst Observatory is another important building. It started recording weather data in 1838 and moved to a new building in 1866. The temperature records taken here are the oldest continuous daily records in the world! Today, the observatory helps the Met Office (the UK's weather service) collect temperature information for central England.
Other Estate Locations
The estate also includes two small groups of houses called Stockbridge and Woodfields. Teachers from Stonyhurst College live in these hamlets.
Hodder Place was once the preparatory school. It has now been turned into private apartments, but its grounds are still part of the Stonyhurst estate. There is also the Sherburne Almshouse in Hurst Green, which was originally built by the Sherburne family to help people in need.
Monuments and Crosses
Around the Stonyhurst estate, you can find several religious monuments. These remind us of the strong Catholic history and Jesuit presence in the area.
Lady Statue and Cromwell's Rock
One notable monument is the Lady Statue, located at the top of the long path (called the Avenue) that connects Stonyhurst College to Hurst Green. It was put up in 1882 and has the words "Ave Maria" (a Latin prayer to Mary) carved into it.
Near St Peter's church graveyard, you'll find Cromwell's Rock. Legend says that Oliver Cromwell, a famous English leader, stood on this stone and called the mansion "the finest half-house in England." This was because the building was not yet fully symmetrical.
Ancient Crosses
Four old crosses are spread out across the estate. In the past, students from the school would visit each cross during an annual pilgrimage on Palm Sunday.
The Pinfold Cross
The Pinfold Cross is a memorial to James Wells, a servant and fiddler at Stonyhurst College. He sadly died in a nearby quarry in 1834. The cross was put up that same year. It has a warning message: "WATCH FOR YOU KNOW NOT THE DAY NOR HOUR." It also says, "OFT EVENINGS GLAD MAKE MORNINGS SAD" and asks people to "PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF JAMES WELLS."
Saint Paulinus' Cross
Saint Paulinus' Cross stands at Kemple End. This monument is very old, possibly from Anglo-Saxon times. It is believed to mark a spot where Saint Paulinus of York once preached. Saint Paulinus was an important figure who helped convert King Edwin of Northumbria to Christianity.
Cross Gills Farm Cross
The Cross Gills Farm Cross is thought to have come from a church. There's an old story that a farmer replaced the cross after his cattle died when he threw the original into the river!
Stonyhurst Park Cross
Stonyhurst Park Cross is located above the River Hodder in the woods. A new cross was placed on an ancient base in 1910. The grounds of St Mary's Hall also have a Marian grotto and a statue of the Sacred Heart.
Visiting Stonyhurst
The Stonyhurst estate is a popular place for visitors. Many people come to see Stonyhurst College, which is a Grade I listed building (meaning it's very important historically). You can take tours of the college during the summer. The college gardens are also open to visitors and have a small shop.
Walking and Exploring
The area around Stonyhurst has many public footpaths. One popular route is the Tolkien Trail. This walk takes you through areas that are thought to have inspired the famous author J. R. R. Tolkien when he stayed at the college in the late 1940s.
Events and Sports
The estate also hosts public events, such as the Great British Food Festival and the Ribble Valley International Piano Week. Visitors can also use the excellent sports facilities, which include a golf course, a swimming pool, and an astroturf hockey pitch.
Images for kids
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Stonyhurst College
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Pinfold Cross
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Stonyhurst Park Cross
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The Estate boundary at the River Hodder
