Eagle House has a rich and varied history dating back to around 1810. We have worked to piece together the story of this fascinating property, sifting through local archives, census records and historical documents. Uncovering its hidden past has only deepened our passion for the building and its place in Eccleshall’s heritage.
The world was a very different place when Eagle House was built. The first photograph had not yet been taken, Europe was amid the Napoleonic Wars, large parts of the Americas were still governed by Spain and the United States consisted of just 18 states. Set against this global backdrop, Eagle House began its life as a parish poor house, a modest sanctuary for those most in need.
Following the Poor Law reforms, the residents were transferred to the Stone workhouse by 1840, and the property was sold to local surgeon Dr Christopher Greatrex for use as a family home and medical practice. By 1856, it had been transformed into a girls’ boarding school, run successfully by Sarah Tunnicliff and her four daughters for nearly 40 years. The building then returned to private ownership for the rest of the 20th century, before undergoing a complete refurbishment in 2017 to become a bed and breakfast.
We purchased the property in 2021 and remain immensely proud to be its current custodians.
The Eagle House Mini-Documentary
IIn 2025, we shared our research and collaborated with local content creator Jenna Goodwin (The Red-Haired Stokie) to produce a short documentary telling the story of Eagle House.
You can explore Jenna’s website to discover more fascinating stories about Staffordshire’s rich heritage.
History Timeline
c.1840
Dr. Christopher Greatrex
The reforms of The Poor Law meant that many of the nation’s Work Houses merged and by 1840, all Eagle House’s residents had been transferred to the workhouse in Stone. This led to the sale of Eagle House to Eccleshall’s surgeon, Dr. Christopher Greatrex, who had moved from Birmingham and had a practice on the Stone Road in the town. He served the area for over sixty years, administering to both private and poor patients until he died in 1880.
Find our more about Dr. Christopher Greatrex in our blog post
Image courtesy of William Salt Library.
c.1853
Sale By Auction
Dr. Greatrex put Eagle House up for sale in 1853 and the poster of sale can be seen on arrival at the house in the hall. It describes a plot much larger than remains today, with grounds including shrubberies, a large kitchen garden and fruit trees. The auction advertisement notes the ‘commanding views’ of the beautiful scenery, that can be seen from the house. We are lucky that these breathtaking vistas of the surrounding countryside remain today, so we can appreciate a part of what has attracted buyers and visitors to the house over the centuries.
As is common with large country houses, over the years, various pockets of land surrounding the house have been sold off by previous owners and used to build new homes. The house is now left with around a third of an acre of grounds to the rear, containing an ancient Copper Beech tree which must have witnessed much of the history of the house and is considered a local landmark.
c.1856
Girls’ Boarding School
Following the purchase of Eagle House from Dr. Greatrex the building was used as a Girls’ Boarding School. There were many private boarding schools in Eccleshall at the time, contributing to the prosperity of the Town. The area was popular for the better off to send their children and students came from all over the nation. Eccleshall was probably seen as a safe and healthy place, away from the vices of the cities and the railway but, as a coaching centre, easily accessible by good roads. The education the establishments provided may have been more about turning out polite and marriageable young ladies rather than that of an academic persuasion and the educators may have had limited educational credentials themselves.
The owner of the Eagle House Ladies’ School was Mrs. Sarah Tunnicliff, and then latterly her four daughters. Many of the schools were run by enterprising local women, providing a valuable form of employment for them at the time.
Sarah’s school was the longest-running in Eccleshall, having moved from the centre of town to Eagle House, where it greatly expanded the number of pupils on its register. The 1851 census shows the school had 12 children, ages 6 to 17 and after the move to Eagle House, its numbers increase to over 20. The school survived until at least 1894.
Find our more about Sarah Tunnicliff in our blog post.
Read about Annie Warrilow, one of the 1878 schoolgirls, in our blog post.
1900’s
20th Century History
Following the closure of the Girls’ School, Eagle House appears to have been in private ownership for the rest of the 20th century. A George VI post box was added to its outer wall at some point during his reign and it is still in use today.
The town slowly grew up around the building and it is now well known to the locals. In the top right corner of this image, Eagle House appears as it was in 1930.
In our Blog post we chat with Mary about here life at Eagle House in the mid 20th Century.
1980
Grade II Listing
On 25th April 1980 Eagle House was listed under the Planning Act 1990 for its special architectural or historic interest. The building was given a Grade II listing due to its striking external appearance and original windows and shutters.
2017
accommodation
In 2017, Eagle House became a successful Bed and Breakfast. The property was purchased in 2009 by a local Ecclian who oversaw its complete refurbishment into the amazing place you see today. See the before and after pictures in our blog post.
We bought the property in 2021 and continue to offer luxury accommodation as well as using it as our family home. Eagle House may have had a humble beginning, but we like to think that we are continuing its long history of serving people and welcoming those who need a place to stay.