PROJECT ARNOS MANOR

BRIEF HISTORY

The Arnos Manor Hotel has a long history. The oldest part of the building dates back to 1760 when it was built by the wealthy Quaker, William Reeve. It was later sold to the Tonge family, who also brought the accompanying Arnos Vale cemetery in the 1830s. In 1850, the building switched hands and was brought by devout Catholic William Gillow. He gave the house to the Order of the Good Shepherd and they used it as a convent; it became a home for women with social problems. Later, in 1856, the building became a reform school for Catholic girls. These girls had been in trouble with the law and some of them were as young as nine. By 1940, the nuns vacated and in 1960 the building opened to the public as Arnos Court Country Club. Through the 20th century, it had many roles: a nightclub, casino, and finally a hotel. The hotel has its own chapel and has 73 en-suite rooms.