Before 1910, a thatched half-timbered house stood on the present site. It was also called Braeside (meaning on the side of the hill) but it burnt down and remained derelict until the present house was built. The new house was first called Beltwood Dalling, but later reverted to the original Braeside name.

Sir Ernest Shackleton, the Antarctic explorer, is thought to have lived at Braeside for about a year, probably in 1913. It is believed that his sledge once hung in the entrance hall, although it has since disappeared. When Shackleton left for his expedition to the Antarctic, the house was loaned for use by the military.

In 1914, Braeside became a military hospital and there is a certificate in the hallway commemorating those who stayed here during the Great War. At first it was an officer’s hospital but later it was used by all ranks of the Australian Army.  A local lady remembers that a part of the cellars were used as a mortuary and a stretcher has been found dating back to this time.

After the First World War, Braeside became a preparatory school and later became the upper part of Devizes Grammar School & was attended by approximately 140 pupils at a time. The first headmaster was Mr Eden and he lived upstairs with a large family. He was followed by Mr Roberts and Mr Halliwell.

At one time a lodge occupied a site near the entrance and was used initially by prefects and later as a school museum. There was also a tennis court on what is now the top lawn and an amphitheatre where the pond is currently. Braeside became a residential education centre in 1971 and remains as such today.