Ancestry UK

Mother and Baby Homes — Lancashire-Lincolnshire

The establishments listed below are believed to have provided at least some accommodation for unmarried mothers and their babies, during at least some of their existence. They include maternity homes, before-and-after-confinement care homes, hostels for pregnant working girls or working mothers, and Irish County Homes. Homes that in their day were labelled Magdalen Homes are listed elsewhere.

Where applicable, the 'Places' column shows the accommodation provided for mothers and babies (exact figures could change over time).
Note that over the years, many institutions changed location and/or name, sometimes more than once. The accommodation provided, age of those admitted etc. at a home could also vary.

Cheshire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Bridget's Mother and Baby Home, 15 Lache Lane, Chesterc.19491917Before and After Care Home.20m/12b 
Crewe Shelter /St Hilda's, 71 West Street, Crewec.1937    
Knowle House, Sagars Road, Handforthby 1949 After Care Hostel, later Before and After Care Home.22m/16bover 14
Hoylake Mothers and Babies Home, Prospect House, 7 Trinity Road, Hoylakeby 1949 Before and After Care Home.12m/8b 
Home of the Good Samaritan, 27 Victoria Road, Grappenhall, Warringtonby 1949 Before and After Care Home, some Shelter beds.14m/8b 

Cornwall

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Penzance Shelter, Morwenna, Lescudjack Terrace, Penzanceby 1950. Before and After Care Home.8m/3b 
Truro Diocesan Maternity Home, Mount Prospect, Redruth19161920sUnmarried mothers; Diocesan cases 7s. 6d. And 15s. Confinement fee; others 10s. And £1 fee.6under 20
Cornwall Preventive and Rescue Association Mothers' and Babies' Home, Rosemundy, St Agnes1917 Girls expecting first confinement; Cornish girls, 10s.; others, 15s.; remain three months after confinement.15m/7bunder 25
Mother and Baby Home, Rosewood, Woodland Road, St Austell   24 

Cumberland

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Mary's Home for Friendless Girls, Coledale Hall, 94-96 Newtown Road, Carlisle1926 Before and After Care Home.10m/6b 

Derbyshire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Borrowash House /St Joseph's, 67 Nottingham Road, Borrowashc.19461975 17m/17b 
Mother and Baby Home, 10 Vernon Street, Derbyby 1949 Before and After Care Home8m/5b 
Mother and Baby Home, 55 Gerard Street, Derby1882by 1949.Moved to 10 Vernon Street.  

Devon

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Barnstaple Shelter, 28 Carrington Terrace, Yeo Vale, Barnstaple1915 Fallen and friendless; temporarily; local cases free; also a few mothers and babies.8under 30
Salvation Army Maternity Home, Dunmore House, West End Road, Bradninch19401961Maternity Home.22m/17b 
14 Marlborough Road, Exeter     
St Nicholas' House, 20 Alphington Road, Exeterby 1964 Maternity Home.12m/6b 
St Olave's Ladies' Association Home, 32 Bartholomew Street East, Exeter1903 Friendless and fallen women, 6s.; mothers and babies, 8s.12m/8bno limit
St Olave's Ladies' Association Home (The Shelter), 33 Bartholomew Street East, Exeter  First fall cases.5no limit
Mayflower Maternity Home, Abbotsfield, Seymour Road, Mannamead, Plymouthby 1920 Unmarried mothers with their babies.21m/15bno limit
Woodside Mother and Baby Home, South View, 2 Woodside, Plymouthby 1949 Before and After Care Home.13m/5b 
St Ursula's Maternity Refuge, St Ursula's House, Edith Avenue, Plymouth  Maternity cases; 6s.; diocesan cases, 5s.814-25
Torquay Door of Hope, St Marychurch Road, Torquayby 1912 Fallen girls; entrance £1 1s.; mother and infant, 2s. 6d.13 

Dorset

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Thomas' Lodge, 12 Charminster Road, Bournemouthby 19491971Before and After Care Home.12m/7b16-35
Free Church Rescue and Training Home, 189 Richmond Park Road, Bournemouth1911 Fallen girls and women and those in danger, 7s. 6d.; some local cases free; mothers with infants, 3s. 6d.9over 14
Free Church Maternity and Training Home, 3 and 11 St Alban's Avenue, Lower Charminster Road, Bournemouthby 1930 First maternity cases; 10s. from locality; others 12s. 6d.: remain at least two months after confinement.24m/12bover 14
Free Church Rescue and Training Home, 3 St Alban's Avenue, Lower Charminster Road, Bournemouthby 1920 First maternity cases; 10s. from locality; others 12s. 6d.: remain at least two months after confinement.12over 14
St Monica's Maternity Home, 17 (later 19)St Peter's Road, Parkstoneby 1949 Maternity Home.10m/10b14-18
St Gabriel's Home, 18 Dorchester Road, Weymouthby 1964 Before and After Care Home.9m/6bover 17
St Gabriel's Home, 6 Abbotsbury Road, Weymouthby 1949 Before and After Care Home.4m/2b 

County Durham

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Monica's Home, North Bondgate, Bishop Auckland19091946Unmarried mothers 5s.; and their babies 2s. 6d.12m/12bunder 25
St Agnes' Home, 45 Duke Street, Darlingtonby 1949 Before and After Care Home.7m/3b 
Mother and Baby Home, Ramside, Belmont, Durhamby 19491954After Care Hostel. Some mothers go out to work.16m/16b 
St Faith's Home, 6-8 Grasmere Street, Gatesheadby 1949 Before and After Care Home.16m/8b 
Mother and Baby Home, Smelt House (laetr Fir Tree Grange), Bridge Street, Howden-le-Wearc.1956 Before and After Care Home.17m/8b 
Parker Memorial Home, 25 Kayll Road, Sunderlandby 1949 Before and After Care Home.12m/9b 

Essex

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Chelmsford Diocesan Maternity Home, Sunnedon House, 75 Warley Hill, Brentwood19591969Maternity Home.17m/10b 
Ardmore, 136 High Road, Buckhurst Hillby 1949by 1953After Care Home. Some mothers go out to work,18m/18b 
Bartletts, Tavistock House, 201 New London Road, Chelmsfordby 1964 Before and After Care Home.15m/10b 
Chelmsford Diocesan Maternity Home, Sunnedon House, West Street, Coggeshall19331959Unmarried Girls before first confinement; 7s. 6d. from Diocese; others, 10s.; remain six months.16m/8bno limit
Chelmsford Diocesan Maternity Home, The Red House, 98 Tilkley Road, Coggeshall19251933Unmarried Girls before first confinement; 7s. 6d. from Diocese; others, 10s.; remain six months.7under 30
Hostel of the Good Shepherd, 87 East Hill, Colchesterby 1949 Before and After Care Home.11m/6b 
Old Mill House, Great Bentley, Colchesterby 1964 Private Maternity Home.6m/6b 
Dunmow Maternity Home, Great Easton, Dunmow1897 First maternity cases before confinement; 7s.; remain six months. Diocesan cases, 5s.814-25
Loreto Convent, Theydon Road, Eppingby 1964 Before and After Care Home.26m/14b 
Hockley Laundry Home, Hockley1904 Fallen women with their infants.20no limit
St Faith's Home, 38 Station Road, Loughtonby 1949 Before and After Care Home.10m/4b 
Girls' Hostel, 51 Junction Road, Romfordby 1949by 1956Before and After Care Home.8m/5b 
Southend Shelter /St Monica's Home, 154 York Road, Southend-on-Seaby 1935 All classes, including mothers and babies; temporarily; payment by arrangement.8m/5b14-30
Ellen Carville Home, 38 The Drive, Walthamstowby 1949 Shelter and Before and After Care Home.5m/5b 
Carville, 38 The Drive, Walthamstowby 1949 Before and After Care Home.  
Carville, 43 West Avenue Road, Walthamstowby 1964 Before and After Care Home.6m/6b 
Beechwood, 2 Westborough Road, Westcliff-on-Seaby 1964 Hostel for Working Pregnant Girls.4 

Gloucestershire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Mother and Baby Home, 11-13 Snowdon Road, Fishponds, Bristolby 1949 Before and After Care Home.20m/12b 
Mount Hope, 10 Ashley Hill, Bristolby 19491968Maternity Home.26m/12b 
Elm House Shelter, 10 Whatley Road, Bristolby 1964 Hostel for Working Pregnant Girls.18 
Grove House Home, 148 Redland Road, Bristol19191947Destitute girls and women; temporarily. First maternity cases, after birth.12m/12bunder 25
Hostel of the Good Shepherd, 15 Wellington Park, Clifton, Bristol1933 Young mothers with their babies; remain at least six months.9no limit
St John's Diocesan Home, 27-29 Ashley Road, Bristolby 1949 Before and After Care Home.16m/8b 
Bristol Maternity Hospital and Home, 50 Southwell Street, Bristol1865 Mothers for their first confinement.32no limit
Bristol Female Mission, Elm House, Marlborough Hill, Bristol1855 Destitute girls and women; temporarily. First maternity cases, after birth.10no limit
Salvation Army Maternity Home, Mount Hope, Ashley Hill, Bristol1925 Unmarried mothers and their infants.34no limit
St Raphael's Home, Severn House, Hallen Road, Henbury, Bristolby 1961 Before and After Care Home.26m/26b 
Bristol Temporary Home and Lying-in Hospital, Southwell House, Southwell Street, Bristol1865 First maternity cases only; 5s. and £2 for special expenses.18no limit
St Catherine's, 2 Berkeley Villas / 21 Pitville Lawn, Cheltenhamby 1950 Before and After Care Home.12m/6b 
St Mary's Lodge, 16 Alexandra Road, Gloucester1905by 1953Before and After Care Home and Shelter.7m/5bno limit

Hampshire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Thomas's Lodge, Darlington Road, Basingstokeby 1949 Shelter and Before and After Care Home.11 beds 
St Andrew's Home, South Hayling1893 First maternity cases; servants of the better class; 5s., and entrance fee, £1 1s.20under 20
Nazareth House Larmenier Wing, 33 Hill Lane, Southampton19232000 25m/14b15-30
Hope Lodge, 41 Belmont Road, Southamptonby 1939 Temporary refuge for unmarried mothers and infants and for any girls in difficulty.8m/4b 
16 St David's Road, Southseaby 1964 Hostel for Working Pregnant Girls.10 
St Andrew's Laundry Cottage Home, Fawcett Road, Southsea1893 Fallen women; first fall only; a few mothers and babies received; £5 entrance fee; if before confinement, £8.20under 20
Portsmouth Free Church Council Hostel, Woodlands, 22 Albany Road, Southsea1919 Unmarried mothers with their first babies.12no limit
Winchester Refuge for Penitent Women, 1 North Walls, Winchester1846 Fallen girls from all parts; usually remain two years.14under 20
Winchester Diocesan Maternity Home, 1 North Walls, Winchesterby 1949 First maternity cases from Winchester diocese; 5s. and £1 1s. Fee.16m/12b16-20
The Haven, Vigo Lane, Yateleyby 1949 Maternity Home.18m/18b 

Herefordshire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Martin's Home for Girls, Walnut Tree Avenue, Hereford26 October 194321 March 1951 20m/10bunder 20

Hertfordshire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Crossroads Club, Ashlyns Hall, Berkhamstedby 1949by 1953Before and After Care Home.24m/12b 
Cheshunt Maternity Home, Hope House, Cheshunt1913 Girls chiefly of the servant class; 8s. 6d.9under 25
Crossroads Club, 33 Lyonsdown Road, New Barnetby 1949 Before and After Care Home.20m/10b 
Campions, Green Street, Shenleyby 1949 Before and After Care Home.15 beds 

Isle of Wight

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
The Hostel, Staplers Road, Newport1921 Women and girls needing help; temporarily; post-maternity and probation cases received; payment when possible.314-24
Mount House, Staplers Road, Newportby 1964 Before and After Care Home.6m/4b 

Kent

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
The Lodge, Faversham Road, Kennington, Ashfordby 1964 Before and After Care Home.11m/4b 
St Faith's Home, St Faith's Lane, Bearstedby 1930 Girls with their first illegitimate infants.25m/12bunder 20
Rochester Diocesan Home, Ravensbourne House, 9 Blyth Road, Bromleyby 1949 Before and After Care Home.14m/6bover 14
Chatham Salvation Army Home, 42 New Road, Chathamby 1920 Girls and women in distress.17m/5bno limit
Oakhurst, 33 Lesney Park Road, Erithby 1949 Before and After Care Home.25m/9b 
Folkestone Refuge, 221 Dover Road, Folkestoneby 1900 Fallen women and maternity cases, before and after confinement.1014-25
St Lawrence Home, 78 Rock Avenue, Gillinghamby 1956 Before and After Care Home.13m/3bover 14
Kendall House, 46 Pelham Road, Gravesendby 1949 Pregnant girls under 17 in need of care and protection.16m/3bunder 17
St Faith's Home, 1-3 Lower Fant Road, Maidstoneby 1912 Girls with their first illegitimate infants; 5s.1216-25
St Faith's Home, 3 Wilton Place, Maidstone1899 Workhouse girls with their first illegitimate infants in the diocese of Canterbury; 5s.8 
Ramsgate Hostel, 41 South-Eastern Road, Ramsgate1919 Unmarried mothers of respectable upbringing, with their first babies. Free from Kent; others £5 entrance fee.12m/12bunder 25
Thanet Hostel, 55 Ashburnham Road, Ramsgateby 1930 Unmarried mothers of respectable upbringing, with their first babies. Free from Kent; others £5 5s. entrance fee.12under 25
Mother and Baby Home, Braeside, 25 Margate Road, Ramsgateby 1949 Shelter and Before and After Care Home.11m/2b 
Deacon House, Vicarage Road, Southborough     
Mother and Baby Home, 13 Broadwater Down, Tunbridge Wellsby 1949 After Care Home. Some mothers go out to work,10m/10b 
'Heatherlands' Mother and Baby Home, 184 Forest road, Tunbridge Wellsby 1953 Before and After Care Home22m/14b18-45
St Christopher's, Pembury Road, Tunbridge Wells19471976Single mothers and young children. In 1972, the Ravensdale and Woodlands day care units were opened.  

Lancashire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Hope House, Friars Lane, Barrow-in-Furness1917    
Blackburn Shelter, 133 Preston New Road, Blackburnby 19351959Rescue and preventive cases.6no limit
Hostel for Mothers and Babies, Viewfield, 73 Oozehead Lane, Blackburn1921c.1946Unmarried mothers with their babies; payment according to earnings.15under 22
The Grange, Wilpshire, Blackburnc.1946 Before and After Care Home.26m/12b 
Fylde House, 141 Hornby Road, Blackpoolby 1964 Before and After Care Home.10m/3b 
House of Help, Bank Parade, Burnley1887 Fallen women and occasionally unmarried mothers with their infants.6 
St Mary's Home, 108 Manchester Road, Buryby 1949 Shelter and Before and After Care Home.10m/3b 
Christiana Hartley Maternity Home, Barrowford Road, Colne19271969   
St Anne's Diocesan Maternity Home, Simpson Hill, Ryecroft Avenue, Green Lane, Heywood1917 Unmarried mothers for confinement; from 7s. 6d. and £1 10s. fee; remain six months.15m/10bunder 20
Girls' Approved School, Meadowcroft, Pope Lane, HuttonApril 24 1968 For pregnant girls.8 
Lancaster Girls' Hostel, 7 Queen Street, Lancaster1932 Before and After Care Home3m/3b16-22
Laurel House /St Hilda's Mother and Baby Hostel, 1 Linnet Lane, Liverpoolby 1949by 1956Before and After Care Home (V.D. cases).16m/10b 
St Faith's Home, 12 Gambier Terrace, Hope Street, Liverpool1920 Pre-maternity cases, 10s. Mothers with their babies; local cases 8s.; others 12s. 6d.20no limit
St Monica's Home, 13 Croxteth Road, Liverpoolby 1930 Before and After Care Home24m/12bover 16
Our Lady's Home for Babies, 14 Holly Road, Fairfield, Liverpoolby 1949 Before and After Care Home16m/12b 
Diocesan Maternity Home, 283 Edge Lane, Liverpool1911 First maternity cases only; before confinement, remain six months; 7s.; diocesan cases, 5s.12under 23
Liverpool Ladies' Association Cottage Home, 70 Sheil Road, Liverpool1889 Unmarried mothers and their babies, mostly from the Workhouse; first cases only; 5s. to 6s. for those outside Liverpool.8m/8bunder 25
Mater Dei Hostel, Berkeley House, Serpentine South, Blundellsands, Liverpoolby 1949 Before and After Care Home.15m/10b 
Liverpool Salvation Army Home, Cradlehurst, Edge Lane, Liverpool19071939Women in distress with children.30m/20bno limit
Liverpool Salvation Army Home, Elmswood, North Mossley Hill Road, Liverpool1939 Maternity Home26m/18b 
Liverpool House of Providence, Kelton, Woodlands Road, Aigburth, Liverpoolc.1908 Young unmarried mothers and their babies. Must remain a year.73m/56b 
Liverpool Diocesan Maternity Home and Crèche, St Hilda, 14 Ullet Lane, Liverpoolby 1930 First maternity cases only; before confinement, remain six months; 10s.; diocesan cases, 8s.18m/30bunder 23
Diocesan Maternity Home, St Hilda, Penny Lane, Wavertree, Liverpoolby 1920 First maternity cases only; before confinement, remain six months; 13s.; diocesan cases, 8s.14under 23
Salvation Army Crossley Hospital, 13-15 Mitchell Street, Manchester1919 Maternity cases; special wards for married women.30no limit
133 Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, Manchesterby 1964 Maternity Home.22m/12b 
St Agnes' House, 15 Mauldeth Road, Withington, Manchesterby 1964 Before and After Care Home.4m/4b 
Ennismore Hostel, 36 Half Edge Lane, Eccles, Manchester1919 Unmarried mothers with their first babies; remain until baby is eighteen months old.12under 25
Manchester and Salford Methodist Mission Home for Mothers and Babies, 40 High Street, Chorlton upon Medlock, Manchester1926 Mothers and babies.14under 25
Manchester and Salford Methodist Mission Maternity Home and Hospital, 42 High Street, Chorlton upon Medlock, Manchester1903 Young unmarried mothers; first cases only; £3 3s. hospital fee.15under 25
St Agnes' House, 54 Upper Brook Street, Chorlton upon Medlock, Manchester1925  2m/2bunder 16
Ennismore Hostel, 85 Regent Street, Eccles, Manchesterby 1949 After Care Home. Some mothers go out to work after 30 months probationary period).16m/20b 
The Macalpine Maternity Home, Belfield Lodge, 2 Willow Bank, Fallowfield, Manchester1890 First cases only (references required); from 10s. and confinement fee, or by arrangement. Minimum stay three months.16no limit
Mrs Macalpine's Maternity Home, Hope House, 23 (later 43) Webster Street, Greenheys, Manchester1890 First maternity cases only; of previous good character; payment when possible.10no limit
Salvation Army Homes, Oak Hill Hiouse, Mandley Park Avenue, Higher Broughton, Manchesterby 1935by 1956Before and After Care Home. Some mothers may go out to work.50m/20bno limit
Refuge for Friendless Girls, 2 Golden Square, Prestonby 1949 Shelter and Before and After Care Home.2m/2b 
Parkinson House, 68 West Cliff, Prestonby 1950 Before and After Care Home.9m/3b 
Adswood, 460 Bury New Road, Salfordby 1964 Before and After Care Home.18m/12b13-26
St Teresa's Home, 61 Broom lane, Salfordby 1948 Home for unmarried mothers and babies. First cases only.30m/40bover 16
St Margaret's Home, Goose Green, Wigan1883 Friendless and fallen; temporarily; free also a few with babies; 5s.18m/10bunder 21

Lincolnshire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Hope House, 8 Princes Avenue, Grimsby1913 Before and After Care Home5m/2b 
Quarry Maternity Home, Wragby Road, Lincolnby 1949 Maternity Home.26m/15b