Liddell’s, the youngest of the boys’ boarding houses, was established in 1956. The house was named after Henry George Liddell, who served as Head Master at Westminster School from 1846-1855, and who helped to rescue the School from its early 19th-century decline in fortunes. Henry was the father of Alice Liddell, immortalised as Alice in Wonderland (which explains why the house once ran a magazine called the White Rabbit), by his best friend, Lewis Carroll. The house was established on either side of the archway to Little Dean’s Yard, at numbers 18 and 19 Dean’s Yard. Number 19 is in fact the School’s oldest possession, the monastic school having been established there from Henry VIII’s reign. From the 16th century until the Second World War it was the Head Master’s house, so the Liddell family actually lived there. Today Liddell's is a boarding house for girls and boys.
Facts and Figures
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Housemaster:
Dr Ransford Agyare-Kwabi (Electronics)| Founded | 1956 |
|---|---|
| House Type | Boarding and Day |
| Total Pupils | 78 |
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"When I asked Liddellites to describe the house, their answers came in a wonderfully eclectic rush, and together they tell you almost everything you need to know about life here: inclusive, enthusiastic, participatory, dynamic, honourable, historic, community-minded, inspiring, encouraging, diverse, spirited, warm, energetic, supportive, wholesome, honest, driven, and, above all, fun. Liddell’s is, in many ways, the school’s bread and butter. As the first boarding house you pass when you come through the gates, we’re naturally outward-facing – doors open, kettle on, and friends from other houses regularly drifting in for a chat, a snack, or a bit of company. With views over the Abbey and the front of the School, there’s a real sense of place, and with our connection to Alice Liddell (of Alice in Wonderland fame), whose father was Head Master here and a close friend of Lewis Carroll, there’s also a sense of story. Even one of our two adorable cats is named after the Mad Hatter. At heart, though, Liddell’s is simply a home away from home. Relaxed, grounded, and quietly restorative, it's the sort of place where you can drop your shoulders, leave your worries at the door, and feel looked after. We’re a community of keen cooks who often get stuck into meals together, and house life is full of little things that make life here feel homely – film nights, karaoke, skating trips, and everyday charming moments that turn into traditions. Every house meeting begins with a poem, and our poetry corner is a small, steady reflection of who we are. We’re proud, too, of the Liddellites who have gone on to make their mark, including Louis Theroux and Helena Bonham Carter. There’s a certain quiet chaos to Liddell’s at times, but it’s exactly that blend of warmth, spirit, creativity and good humour that gives the house its distinctive character. "
— Dr Ransford Agyare-Kwabi, Liddell's Housemaster