Stonyhurst College close to Hurst Green, in Lancashire ... a world famous Roman Catholic boarding college. The magnificent buildings are set in extensive parkland with two huge ponds that were excavated in 1696. The college houses a wonderful museum collection including a 7th century Gospel of St. John. Cromwell stayed here in 1648. In 1811 the building became the first public building to be lit by gas. Conan Doyle creator of Sherlock Holmes is among many famous ex scholars of the college. The college was the setting for the novel 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'. You can even walk in the footsteps of author J.R.R. Tolkien, who regularly stayed there, on the famous 'Tolkien Trail' which explores the richly beautiful surrounding countryside that inspired him. A number of names which occur in 'The Lord of the Rings' are similar to those found locally.
