Windermere, 1887

Photo ref: 20461

My great granddad, Thomas Henry Smith, was a Bathman at the Hydro having come from Melrose in Scotland where he was a Bathman at the Melrose Hydro.

The picture shown is of the junction with Main Road and Victoria Street, Windermere. The nearest building is obviously the Queen's Hotel (still there) and the one behind it is the Oakthorpe. To get to Orrest Head from here, take the right fork to the top of the hill where it joins the main A591, cross the road, and take the winding path to the left of the Windermere ...see more

This is the front entrance to the Windermere Hydropathic Hotel. During the Second World War it was the home of Ashville College of Harrogate, as they had been evacuated to Windermere as the school buildings in Harrogate were being used by the Civil Service. The hotel is still in use as a hotel and has beautiful views over the lake.

When I was young I played in the clock gardens for many hours along with my elder sister Hilary, we made dens and played house. Mum knew where we were as we lived at Sunnybank House in Princes Road. Later on I worked in Kendal as a hairdresser, so after work I would get off the bus and see Baddeley clock and know I was nearly home. I now live in Barnsley, but on my visits back I'll drive past Baddeley clock and I feel all is well.