Gawthorpe Hall

Gawthorp Hall, Lancashire

Gawthorpe Hall

Where is it – England, North West England

Who looks after it –  National Trust 

What is it –  House, Supernatural 

When is it from – Victorian

Gawthorpe Hall is a compact estate house, built between 1600 and 1605 around the site of a medieval pele tower. It boasts original architecture, plasterwork and oak panelling from that period. The dining room includes a wonderful minstrels’ gallery with twin doors suitable for performers to enter and exit easily. But it is mostly a Victorian creation, and if you think it looks similar to Highclere House or the Houses of Parliament, it is because Gawthorpe was redesigned by the same architect, Sir Charles Barry, in the 1850s. The house even includes furniture and wallpaper designed by Pugin. The interiors are lovely. Charlotte Brontë came and stayed at the Hall, so it is very much on the Brontë trail. It also houses an extraordinary display of portraits on loan from the National Portrait Gallery as well as a renowned textile collection, said to be the most important outside London, assembled by the last resident, Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, who died in 1967. Outside are pleasant, but not extensive, gardens and grounds.

Finally, Gawthorpe Hall is reputed to be haunted. However, Burnley Football Club has its training ground next door – and it surely cannot get more exciting than that.

 


Address

Burnley Road, Padiham, Nr Burnley, Lancashire BB12 8UA 

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