Gawthorpe Hall

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“Gawthorpe Hall – set in beautiful woods in the heart of industrial Lancashire – was home to the Shuttleworth family for nearly 400 years. The imposing but elegant Elizabethan house sits on the banks of the River Calder - closely resemblig Hardwick Hall it was probably designed by the same architect, Robert Smythson. Gawthrope begain life as a pele tower, a strong square structure built in the 14th century, as a defence against the invading Scots. Within six generations, the Shuttleworths had risen to wealth and power. To match this wealth with a suitably imposing home, the eminent barrister and Sergeant-at-Arms, Sir Richard Shuttleworth made plans to expand the old tower into a residence. Around 1600 a Jacobean mansion was built around the pele but the master stroke came in 1850 when Sir Charles Barry – who later designed the House of Commons- was commissioned for Gawthorpe and his designs can be witnessed in several of the rooms. Today, portraits of society figures from the 17th century throng the Long Gallery, some of which are on loan from the National Portrait Gallery. Also on display is a unique collection of needlework, lace, and costumes from all over the world. This was assembled by the last family member to live at Gawthorpe, Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth who was herself particularly skilled at lace making and personally enthusiastic about communicating and encouraging this art-form. Charlotte Bronte was a close friend of the Shuttleworths and spent some time at Garthorpe Hall and would have enjoyed the wooded riverside location and extensive grounds. ”
Padiham
Burnley, Lancashire
BB12 8UA
Visit Website
1 Apr–29 Oct: Tue-Thu, Sat, Sun 1-5pm
Garden open all year. 10-6pm
Adult: £4
Concession: £3
Garden Free
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See more Historic Homes in North of England:
- Aydon Castle
- Beningbrough Hall & Gardens
- Brodsworth Hall & Gardens
- Burton Constable
- Cherryburn (Thomas Bewick’s Birthplace)
- Cragside
- Dalemain
- Dove Cottage & Wordsworth Museum
- Dunham Massey
- East Riddlesden
- Fairfax House
- Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
- Gawthorpe Hall
- George Stephenson’s Birthplace
- Harewood House & Bird Garden
- Hill Top
- Holker Hall & Gardens
- Hutton in the Forest
- Leighton Hall
- Levens Hall
- Little Moreton Hall
- Lyme Park
- Merchant’s Adventurer’s Hall
- Newby Hall & Gardens
- Nunnington Hall
- Ormesby Hall
- Paxton House and Country Park
- Rufford Old Hall
- Rydal Mount & Gardens
- Speke Hall
- Tatton Park
- Townend
- Wallington
- Washington Old Hall
- Wordsworth House
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