For many people the mention of Godswell means where we go to see the doctor or the dentist, or perhaps to visit a relative in the care home in the grounds.

The name comes from an ancient holy well in the grounds which attracted pilgrims in the middle ages.

It’s believed that one of the two large manor houses of the village stood a little to the west of the present house  but that this was demolished in the 19C and replaced with Godswell House which was occupied by Miss Scott Murray who financed several village charities including funding the village infant school.

In the intervening years since its original residents moved away Godswell  has had many different uses.

The District Council gave it its first existence as an old persons home for some years before they changed the age of its residents – putting in young boys in need of care.

This use changed again when the house became an office for Colin Galloway’s business. He could see there was also scope to make use of the various outbuildings and he persuaded Dr Harris (whose surgery was then in Little Green), to convert the old stables into a modern surgery and pharmacy. This was soon joined by a dentist, while the main house was turned into the very fine care home
and a block of retirement apartments were later built in the spacious garden.
Here are a few photos showing the house in years gone by.