Captain Hart
Captain Hart originally built Highermead House over quite sometime, starting in the late 1800’s and finally completing the project after the war. He used local stone from the recently demolished mill at Outground (at the end of the road) and the remainder was quarried from what is now Higher Culloden Farm. they certainly knew how to shop local back then!
Grammar School Headteacher
It was later home to the headteacher at The Grammar School (which is now the new housing development just next door). He certainly would not have been able to blame being late for work on being ‘stuck behind a tractor’! During this time the top floor was used as a dormitory and home to the children attending the Grammar School who lived too far to commute by bicycle.
50’s, 60’s, 70’s & 80’s
During the 50’s and 60’s a few families used the building as a guesthouse / hotel with function room and associated facilities. there will have been many birthdays, christenings and weddings celebrations taking place here at Highermead House.
80’s & 90’s
In the 80’s and 90’s it was home to a family who ran the building as a guest house and was also home to the local nightclub – ‘Legends’, there are many local people who will be keen to share stories of the evenings here and their escapades.
Highermead Care Home
In the late 90’s the building was purchased by ARC Care, converted and extended into a 21 bedroom (22 resident) care home for the elderly. This ran for many years, closing in May 2018.
Abandoned & Unloved
This is when the building really entered a period of decline, she sat boarded up, empty and vandalised for 5 long years until an optimistic (if not a little barmy) local couple completed a long purchase in April 2023.
Now
Kasey (NEE Metters) & Jon Smeeth (we), a local couple who were born, schooled, raised and married in Camelford (and who are currently raising their 2 very busy boys) have taken on the mammoth task of renovating the building to return it to its former glory as a guest house… this will take some time!
The Future is Bright
The next chapter is only now beginning, but, we will endeavour to keep you updated and in the loop HERE.