118 Highgate

On the west side of Highgate between 116 Highgate (The Bradbury Centre, Sight Advice South Lakes) and 120 Highgate (also part of Kendal Youth Hostel).

Now occupied by Kendal Youth Hostel.

The house was built in 1758 for Daniel Wilson a member of the Dallam Tower family and Elizabeth Crowle (see also 27 Highgate), probably as a town or dower house.

The arms of Wilson, impaled with those of Crowle, are still on the leaden spout-head in front of the property. The arms of Wilson :- Argent, three wolves’ heads couped Sable, vulned in the neck. The crest, which is to be seen at each joint of the pipe, is a hand grenade; but this is not the crest of the Wilson family, although it somewhat resembles it. The same error of a hand grenade is noticeable over the entrance to Casterton Old Hall. The Wilson crest is a Crescent Or, therefrom flames issuant proper. Here resided at different periods, William Whitwell (whose family also owned 122 Highgate a few doors away) and William Mark and the offices of Whitwell Mark & Co Ltd. In the year 1853, the gardens were built over for the new ale brewery; in 1864 the beautiful renaissance panelled dining room was converted into an office, and the kitchens became a cooper’s shop. The brewery buildings on the old gardens behind became the Brewery Arts Centre in 1972 and the house was turned into a youth hostel, first YHA then later a privately run youth hostel.

References: Curwen 1900 [https://www.visitcumbria.com/sl/kendal-brewery/ Visit Cumbria - Kendal - Old Brewery House