The first UK home for the children who had flown from Prague was on the now 'lost' village of Calgarth Estate that stood at Troutbeck Bridge, about one mile from Windermere.

Calgarth Estate was a wartime housing scheme built for aircraft factory workers employed at nearby White Cross Bay. The estate had its own shops, canteen, entertainment hall and many other facilities.

The children were placed in what were the single workers accommodation hostels. They were each given their own small room, a bed and clean linen. For many it was their first encounter with privacy and cleanliness in five years.

The children were cared for by a supportive network, and were offered opportunities for sport, education, outdoor recreation and healthcare.

Over a period of six months they were gradually moved to other homes in places throughout the UK, and they had left Calgarth Estate by early 1946.