schools
The number of former merchants’ houses, inns and hotels in Parkgate reflects the importance of the shipping trade to this community in the early 18th century. One of these establishments was the Mostyn Arms Hotel, formerly the George Hotel, which in 1855 became the nucleus of the former Mostyn House School, run by the Grenfell family until its recent closure in July 2010; the school prospered and expanded under their enterprising leadership for several generations. A brief history of the school can be found here.
It was the Grenfell family that introduced the black & white style of building to the area about 1900. The most famous member of this family was Sir Wilfred Grenfell (1865-1940), the medical missionary and explorer later known simply as ‘Grenfell of Labrador’, who did much to help the coastal communities of northern Canada.
The conditions that contributed to the success of Parkgate as a resort – the healthy, fresh sea air – plus the availability of suitable premises, led to the establishment of a number of small private boarding schools operating here from the early 19th century; in fact, Parkgate became renowned for its boarding schools for young gentle-persons from as early as 1804. These schools were often promoted in advertisements extolling the healthy pursuit of sea bathing (Place 1996, p 109). At various times there were known to be such schools operating at Brockleigh (girls), School Lane, transferred from Moorside Lane, Mostyn Cottage (boys), School Lane, Richville (later known as the Parkgate Hotel) (girls), Boathouse Lane, Seaward House (boys), and The Warren (boys), both on The Parade – in addition to Mostyn House itself.
Mostyn House School, Parkgate
For local children an infant school for 60 pupils was opened in 1860, long before education was compulsory, in School Lane adjacent to St Thomas’ Church; this building was mainly funded by Christopher Bushell of Hinderton Hall, Neston, a Liverpool wine merchant, who was a considerable benefactor in the Neston area. There was no senior department in this school, and older pupils went on to an elementary school in Neston.
The former infant school survived, latterly as a primary school, until 1968, when it was replaced by a new primary school in Brooklands Road; the old school building was later converted into a private home and still survives as such. See article "The Infant School - Parkgate" in Parkgate Society Newsletter Issue 53 Autumn 1997 Page 4.
Last Updated April 2022