Charnwood House, 25 Barrow Road

Built around 1870, Charnwood House was one of two houses (the other being the Willows) built on the former site of an old, large Hall-like mansion building previously owned by the Herrick family. By 1877 both The Willows and Charnwood House were owned by Herbert Bryan Foster, a gentleman farmer.

The Willows was the home of H. B. Foster whilst Charnwood House was let to several professional and gentry families. The list of occupiers include :

until early 1872 Mrs Salvin, later of London
1875 – 1876 Robert Ratcliffe
1877 – 1889 James Robert Edmonds, Esq., Managing Director of the Charnwood Granite Company
c1890 – 1895 Herbert William Wilshere, Stock Broker
c1895 – 1898 Frederick Langham, Auctioneer, Langham & Holland
c1898 – c1916 John W Moir, Boot Merchant, Leather Merchant and Boot Manufacturer

After the First World War there was a steady stream of occupiers. From 1918 until Frederick Astill's occupancy in 1947, there had been at least seven other families living at the property. From 1953 until 1978 the property was the home of Ernest Parkinson, an architect and prominent local councillor, alderman and Justice of the Peace.

A sales notice for the house in 1952 describes the house as :
"A detached residence well set back from the road, with large garden on front, containing vestibule entrance, Spacious Hall with cloakroom off, Lounge with windows on two sides, Dining Room with large side bay and front window, large kitchen, cellar, wide staircase to square landing. Five large bedrooms, Bathroom, separate W.C. and two attics". Outside was a wash house, detached stable, garage with loft over, a saddle room and coal store.

The house faced away from the road to a westerly aspect to take in the view of the Soar Valley and the Charnwood Hills beyond. This aspect changed significantly in 1996 with the development of Herrick Close and separation from The Willows.