This prominent building with its extensive grounds can be seen as one approaches Weddington on the A5 Watling Street, and commands spectacular views of the Weddington valley from this historic roadway.
Its own history stretches back over 100 years from when, in 1870, one Robert S. Lea established a school and home when he designed the King's Lodge, then known as Lindley Lodge, for use as a boarding school for boys. This building was officially founded in 1886 and was self-sufficient in that it grew its own food, had its own well and had an emphasis on physical education.
In 1938 the boarding school was closed and was briefly used to house the wild animals from a bankrupt circus - lions included!
During the Second World War (1939-45) the building was used by the Army's Scottish Regiments, the Royal Marines and then the ATS (the Auxiliary Territorial Service: the women's branch of the army). However during the post-war years the building was left empty.
From 1950-68 it was used by the National Coal Board as a social club and institute, and from 1968 the building was purchased and utilised by the Lindley Educational Trust: a group of clergy and industrialists who used the building for developing young people through education, up until 1982.
The building was purchased in on January 1, 1984 by an organisation called ‘Youth With A Mission’ (YWAM) – who are still the owners today, after putting £1 down as a promise to purchase the property and building, which they renamed The King's Lodge. YWAM is an international Christian evangelical mission with projects ranging from slum ministries, leper colonies, an AIDS hospice, poverty alleviation, street children, and orphanages. There are currently more than 260 staff and students from six out of the seven continents, living and working at The King's Lodge. You can view their website at: https://ywamthekingslodge.org/.
Its own history stretches back over 100 years from when, in 1870, one Robert S. Lea established a school and home when he designed the King's Lodge, then known as Lindley Lodge, for use as a boarding school for boys. This building was officially founded in 1886 and was self-sufficient in that it grew its own food, had its own well and had an emphasis on physical education.
In 1938 the boarding school was closed and was briefly used to house the wild animals from a bankrupt circus - lions included!
During the Second World War (1939-45) the building was used by the Army's Scottish Regiments, the Royal Marines and then the ATS (the Auxiliary Territorial Service: the women's branch of the army). However during the post-war years the building was left empty.
From 1950-68 it was used by the National Coal Board as a social club and institute, and from 1968 the building was purchased and utilised by the Lindley Educational Trust: a group of clergy and industrialists who used the building for developing young people through education, up until 1982.
The building was purchased in on January 1, 1984 by an organisation called ‘Youth With A Mission’ (YWAM) – who are still the owners today, after putting £1 down as a promise to purchase the property and building, which they renamed The King's Lodge. YWAM is an international Christian evangelical mission with projects ranging from slum ministries, leper colonies, an AIDS hospice, poverty alleviation, street children, and orphanages. There are currently more than 260 staff and students from six out of the seven continents, living and working at The King's Lodge. You can view their website at: https://ywamthekingslodge.org/.
All information and photographs (c) 'Youth With A Mission' 2008-2013 except images marked *
