Larches House school building is set for a new lease of life as it goes under the hammer

An historic Lea school house which provided special educational facilities for children in Preston could be turned back into a family home.

Larches House is a red-brick mansion sitting in six acres of grounds, originally built for wealthy banker John Lawe in 1838.

More recently the mansion formed part of Larches House School but has stood empty since Lancashire County Council relocated the special needs facility to Blackpool Road in 2017.

Now the grade II listed building – along with outbuildings, classrooms and a three-bedroom caretaker’s house – is up for auction, with a £400,000 guide price.

Paul Thompson, managing director of auctioneer Pugh, said: “This is a magnificent building dating back to the start of Queen Victoria’s reign when Preston was a proud railway town and textile manufacturing was becoming dominant.

“It would be tremendous to see it take on a new lease of life and, in a fantastic location, close to the main transport corridors and just a couple of miles from Preston city centre, Larches House represents a great investment opportunity.”

The building retains many of its original features, including sash windows, fireplaces and an open-well staircase with an ornate mahogany handrail.

Some former pupils at the school claim the building is haunted.

Larches House is one of around 100 properties to go under the hammer across three days of online auctions this month, with the North West auction featuring Larches House opening at 10am on 21 April.

For more information on Larches House, and to view the full auction catalogue, go to www.pugh-auctions.com. Registration for the auctions closes at 3pm on 20 April.

Share your memories of Larches House school in the comments section.