Alfred and Betty Wainwright

The house was once owned by Betty Wainwright, the second wife of the famous Alfred Wainwright. It was then known as Fowl Ing House.  In January1970, just before they were married, Alfred was taken seriously ill with pneumonia and Betty insisted that he moved in with herself and her family until he had recuperated.  According to the Hunter Davies biography ( page 247), Wainwright stayed for several weeks.  There is also one of his famous pen sketches of the House with the tiny figures of Betty and her daughters on the verandah on page 212.

David and Shirley bought the Georgian building in 2009 after it had been abandoned for over a year and decided to do all they could to restore it to its former glory. They are determined to restore the whole building and create a fitting tribute to Alfred  Wainwright and Betty and their love of the Lake District.

Wainwright Society

David and Shirley are members of the Wainwright Society and are keen to help and support its aims.  Please see issue 37 (Spring 2012) of 'Footsteps' ( the magazine of the Wainwright Society) for further details.

We have a small but growing collection of Wainwright books and memorabilia and would love to share members’ memories and thoughts about Wainwright and his beloved wife, Betty.

Do come and see us, and help us in our quest to make Wainwright House a truly wonderful venue and a lasting testament to Wainwright’s memory