The School House, Clevelands, Bolton

The School House, which dates back to the 1860s, takes its name from the building’s last occupiers, Clevelands Preparatory School. Originally a private residential property known as Cleveland House it became an independent school in 1961 until the school moved to new premises in 2001.

The original Cleveland House also has strong links with Bolton’s proud industrial heritage and the property was first occupied in 1861 by a Thomas Mather Walmsley and his wife Emma, together with three sons, two daughters and seven servants. He was a successful iron & steel manufacturer in charge of Atlas Forge, employing up to 400 people. His father, also named Thomas, was Mayor of Bolton in 1869-1870 and 1871.

When the school moved in 2001, Jones Homes acquired the land and property which by then had fallen into a state of disrepair, requiring significant internal and external remedial and restoration works. Plans were made to completely renovate the property and create six unique 2-bedroom luxury apartments, each with its own character and distinctive features. As such a redundant building has now been put back into beneficial use, thus preserving its history and heritage into the future.

Every 2 bedroom apartment within the building is different. Plot 39, for example, is the only property in The School House to offer apartment living over 2 floors and with a main bathroom plus an en-suite to bedroom 1, it provides all the luxuries of modern contemporary living within a magnificent period setting.

Set in a quiet, leafy conservation area, The School House is situated in one of Bolton’s most desirable residential neighbourhoods. It is part of the Clevelands development, where the new townhouses and Wordsworth House apartments have been designed to complement the building’s Victorian splendour and the other grand Victorian residences on Chorley New Road.