no.6978

Clarke's Arms, Rampside

Further Information
Cumbria Archives Reference: ???
Sankey Number: 6978

Senders Message

"Dear Ruth I am just going to have tea here. Had lovely time at Aldinghamit is -uncler- today M”

Sender
Posted From: -unclear--in-Furness
Date Posted: The Clarke's Arms is located in the village of Rampside some four miles from Barrow-in-Furness, directly facing Morecambe Bay. After being closed for a number of years, it reopened in c2000 having undergone an extensive renovation and the addition of an extension providing extra hotel accommodation. It is now known as Clarke's Hotel - its website is at https://www.clarkeshotel.co.uk/ The Clarkes building origins date back to 1720 when George and Margaret Barker who owned some the farm land at Rampside, built either a coaching Inn or an imposing farmhouse-. Francis Barker, the son of George and Margaret, married Elizabeth Wordsworth, a cousin of the famous poet William Wordsworth. It was during the time period 1794 that the poet stayed in the area throughout the summer with his sister Dorothy visiting some of their family members, it is believed that he stayed here at The Clarkes Hotel or the next building along and around 15 years he later wrote a famous poem about Piel Island. Over 100 years after The Clarkes building was erected it was converted to a Coaching Inn with stables around the back for the horses and carriages/carts, now named The New Inn by Mary Wright in 1822. Over the next 40 years the New Inn would be used for the workers on the ships docking at Roa Island and Piel Island. George Hargreaves who owned the hotel in 1849 included in his advertising that "A bathing machine is kept upon the premises” a rare and unusual sight in those days. Thankfully all of our rooms are now en-suite. James Addison Clarke, a relation of Francis Barker, eventually inherited the building as part of the Addison estate. Under his ownership it changed to The Clarkes Arms around 1870. In 1913 the original building was pulled down, only the date stone and part of the front wall were kept, which can still be seen today. There have been numerous owners and name changes to The Clarkes Hotel, it has also been owned by the famous Whitbread brewery and was called the Wordsworth hotel in the late 19th century, which was believed to have had a drive way in and drive way out and a revolving door where the front entrance stands today. The current owner, Thomas Twigge, purchased the Clarkes in 1998 before which it had sat derelict for three years. During this period extensive renovations have been carried out and the name was once again changed, this time to The Clarkes Hotel. Thomas wanted to keep it as The Clarkes as everyone still called it The Clarkes Arms and he also wanted to promote that it is a hotel. -source: hotel wibsite history page-
Postmark Date: 16/??/1925
Stamp if Shown: Scarlet George V one penny
Receiver
Receivers Name: Miss Barrow
Address: The Lows,
Town or City: Ulpha, nr. Broughton-in-Furness

More Items


https://www.sankeyphotoarchive.uk/collection/view/?id=900659

no.6978

The Clarkes Arms Rampside

1920s

Looking north west from Roa Island Road Rampside to the Clarke’s Arms Hotel. The hotel is a large detached building with Tudor style woodwork decorating the central facade, coat of arms on wall above main entrance. The hotel is viewed through the entrance in an ornate wall which surrounds the building and grounds. Large wood and iron sign displaying the hotel name to right of entrance and tree to left.

https://www.sankeyphotoarchive.uk/collection/view/?id=900659

no.6978

The Clarkes Arms Rampside

1920s

Looking north west from Roa Island Road Rampside to the Clarke’s Arms Hotel. The hotel is a large detached building with Tudor style woodwork decorating the central facade, coat of arms on wall above main entrance. The hotel is viewed through the entrance in an ornate wall which surrounds the building and grounds. Large wood and iron sign displaying the hotel name to right of entrance and tree to left.

Location: Rampside, Barrow-in-Furness Cumbria Archives Reference: BDB 86/1/2208
Sankey Number: 6978