Above is a copy of an early postcard of Thornton Lodge, taken, we believe in the 1920’s. Apart from the addition of a conservatory and laundry and 80 odd years growth to the trees, little has changed. This is all the more commendable when you consider that the property was a children’s  Sanatorium during the war, then  an adult hospital and lastly a nursing home. The fact that so little damage was done to the fabric of the property during its different lives speaks highly of the past custodians of Thornton Lodge. When we purchased the property, we found the side panel of the staircase in our Coach House. It had details chalked on the back by the 17 year old apprentice who had removed it in 1957.

We have been gifted copies of photographs of the Thornton Lodge  children. This is a photo of Margaret and Mary Brown, working in the walled vegetable garden—now home to our own free ranging hens and providing seasonal produce once again.