History

Built in the 1840s by textile mill owner William Sandford, Ash House was home to the Sandford family for more than 140 years before becoming empty and falling into a state of mild disrepair in the 1990s. The house was then brought back to life as a family home by the present owners and became a B&B in 2006. Sandford Mill, which stands opposite the house on Dunford Road, is now CragRats Theatre and cafe bar.

The last member of the Sandford family to run the mill was Frank Sandford who took Ash House over from his father, Jonathan in 1918. Frank, who lived at Ash House all his life, was a keen photographer, and some of his pictures are shown on this page and elsewhere on this website.

FRANK SANDFORD (CENTRE) & FRIENDS IN THE GARDEN AT ASH HOUSE. 1920

ASH HOUSE IN WINTER WITH PETER, THE DOG. FEBRUARY 1922.

ASH HOUSE (PETER ON THE STEP!). JUNE 1919.

ASH HOUSE WITH SWIMMING POOL (NOW A FISH POND). MARCH 1934.

SWIMMING POOL, ASH HOUSE. JULY 1934.