Chernocke house
Chernocke House was the first tutor ’ s house for Commoners to be opened at Winchester College . In 1859 , the headmaster , Dr Moberly , invited Revd HJ Wickham , then a tutor in Commoners , to open a house for up to 30 boys . Revd Wickham ’ s family owned a property on St Thomas ’ Street in Winchester known as Chernocke House and it was this house which opened as a boarding house in September 1859 .
The house is thought to have been built in 1704 . Extensions were added in 1860 and 1879 to create a mugging hall and a dining hall , followed by further additions of new dormitories and a prefects ’ library in the late 1880s . The desks at Winchester College known as ‘ toys ’ were first installed in Chernocke House to Revd Wickham ’ s design .
By the early 20th century , a new Chernocke House was under consideration – the old house was in poor condition and repairs and further expansion were deemed to be too expensive . The Governing Body instead agreed to build a new house on Kingsgate Park , land acquired by the school in 1890 . The house was designed by Sir Charles Nicholson and opened in 1912 .
Chernocke House is therefore the oldest boarding house at Winchester College but also the most recently built house .
Today , Chernocke House is home to 61 boarders and 5 day pupils all of whom are looked after by the Senior Housemaster , James Fox and Matron , Karen Palmer . The most recent renovations include the conversion of the old boot room / tv room into a day study for the first cohort of day girls . The successful integration of day girls into Chernocke House has not only promoted a more inclusive and diverse environment , it has also created a stronger sense of community among all residents .