Rydal Penrhos’ jewel in the crown, the Osborn Hall has been a central feature of school life for over a century, evolving through multiple transformations.

Opened in 1900, it originally served as both the school hall and chapel, with an organ loft at the Old House end. For early alumni, this period was marked by the hall’s use for worship, while meals were served in individual house dining rooms.

In 1957, the hall underwent a major extension, transforming into the school’s dining hall. The organ loft was removed, and the hall’s role shifted to accommodate daily meals for the pupils. The dining experience was a memorable one: students queued for food at the Old House end, navigating the worn floor where the meal line left its mark over the years. The dining hall was organised by sports houses – Crusaders, Barbarians, Trojans, and Corinthians – with seating arrangements determined by age, where the youngest sat at the bottom and the eldest near the head of the table, often alongside a master.

After the merger with Penrhos College, the Osborn Hall was repurposed into a Learning Resource Centre and Library, officially opened by Prince Edward in 2000. The addition of a mezzanine floor transformed its appearance, and the space became a hub for research, study, and student activities.

In recent years, the Osborn Hall has been restored to its original grandeur, preserving its historic charm. Today, it serves as a versatile space, hosting educational events, exams, parents’ evenings, balls, and much more. Thomas Osborn and his wife Jessie, whose initials can be found above the building’s Pwllycrochan entrance, would no doubt be proud of the hall’s enduring legacy.