Guest House
“We exercise hospitality first of all in our own hearts. These are transformed by the Holy Spirit into places where someone who is a stranger becomes a brother or sister.”
Constitutions 130
The Spirit of Hospitality
As Canonesses of St Augustine, we are committed to the ancient monastic tradition of hospitality. Welcoming you to our home is not something that we do as an extra to our other work of running the nursing home – it is at the heart of who we are and what we do.
We hope to be able to cater for your needs in a flexible and sensitive manner. Do not be afraid to ask for anything that might make your stay more comfortable or enjoyable.
Our guest house is open to all guests through the year. We welcome bookings from school or student groups or any other groups who may benefit from our hospitality. We also work with schools to provide INSET days to suit each school, with the option of overnight stays.
Any group who would like help in arranging a programme should contact SR MARGARET. Please also see our upcoming programme of residential events.
For those who wish for a change from the pressures of everyday living, our grounds, our Chapel and our Oratory offer different experiences of peace and tranquillity. You are most welcome to share in the prayer life of our community. For many visitors to Boarbank, regardless of their religious affiliation, the great attractions include the daily celebration of the Eucharist and the singing of Evening and Night Prayer. From Christmas time, Night Prayer around the fire in the Hall is greatly enjoyed by young and old alike.
Our Facilities
Boarbank Hall is situated near Grange-over-Sands, in South Cumbria. There has been a residence on the site for at least four hundred years. It stands in beautiful grounds overlooking the wide expanse of Morecambe Bay. The present Guest House is mainly in the oldest part of the building, which retains Georgian and Victorian features.
It is an ideal place for a holiday as an individual, with family or friends, or in an organised group, for recreation, rest, or a retreat. The local area provides a wealth of interesting activities and places to visit.
Our food is homely and wholesome, some from our own garden, and made from locally sourced produce wherever possible. Our kitchen has a wide experience of different dietary requirements. We are delighted to assist in complying with these requirements, but please let us know in advance, if they apply to you. For instance, we can provide gluten free for coeliacs or low sugar for diabetics. We understand that you can be apprehensive about going away from home when you are not certain of the food ingredients used in the meals. Also our kitchen has been awarded 5* for food hygiene.
On a practical level, we generally have a lift in the main hall of the building to enable easy access to the bedroom floors.
The Guest House does not have any special medical facilities except for disabled access to certain rooms and facilities. Please tell us about any requirements you may have before you arrive so we can advise accordingly.
House & Gardens
Boarbank Hall is set in extensive grounds on a hill overlooking Morecambe Bay. The grounds include mixed woodland containing a rich variety of trees, flower and vegetable gardens, a grotto recalling the convent’s dedication to Our Lady of Lourdes and a summer house. The main house was rebuilt in 1870 by a wealthy manufacturer and retains many of the original features, including the porch and the entrance hall, with its impressive central staircase.
About 1189, William Marshall, Baron of Cartmel, founded at Cartmel a Priory of Canons Regular of St Augustine. The Augustinians remained there until the Reformation. The first surviving mention of Boarbank Hall is in the Parish Registry of 1592, when it was occupied by the Barrow family, who owned most of the large houses in the area. At this stage, Boarbank was probably a large farmstead. The house exchanged hands many times until Miss Harriet Lambert, a well known local benefactor, built the South Lodge in 1837. The North Wing was added later. The house was rebuilt in its present style in 1870 after a fire had destroyed the front of the house. In 1921 the Canonesses of St Augustine moved to the house. The convent building dates from 1928. In 1955 the nursing home, Marymount, was built to the north of the old house; an extension to this, known as Bethany, was added in 1967.
Bookings
Rates in 2024
Single Room en-suite: £90 per night
Double Room / Twin: £140 per night
Family Room: £ 150 per night
These rates include all meals (hot breakfast, two course lunch, three course dinner. If you will be out for lunch you can order a packed lunch but please order the evening before it is needed.
Reduced rates are available on request for students and student groups, and anyone with particular financial needs. Please do enquire with the Bookings Office.
Lunch is served by our Guest House staff, who are also on hand to provide any help needed for Breakfast and Supper which are self-service. The main meals are in our Dining Room.
Breakfast: 8.30 am
Lunch: 12.30 pm
Dinner: 6.30 pm