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Things to do at Gawthorpe Hall

The south-facing entrance front at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire
The south-facing entrance front at Gawthorpe Hall | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Gawthorpe Hall is an Elizabethan gem. Explore its impressive collections, historic garden and extensive woodland.

Explore the garden

Why not take a leisurely stroll around the formal garden with its views of the River Calder? The ornamental terraced garden to the north of the hall and landscaped garden to the south are an ideal place to pause and relax.

Walk through the woodland

There’s over 40 acres of woodland to explore at Gawthorpe. Discover hidden pockets of quiet woodland, listen out for the birds filling the trees with song, reflect beside a pond or take in the inspiring views across to Pendle Hill.

Circular walk

If you'd like to discover Gawthorpe and the surrounding area, embark on this fascinating circular walk which takes you through the historic parkland of Gawthorpe Hall, past the ancient woodland of Hagg Wood and through Grove Lane Plantation. Find out more here - Gawthorpe Hall Circular Walk, Lancashire | National Trust

Visitors climbing steps in the south garden at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire in summer
Exploring the south garden at Gawthorpe Hall in summer | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Please note that unfortunately there are no displays of textiles on the first floor, as all of the cases have been emptied for refurbishment and then new displays will be installed. Keep checking for updates as work progresses at http://gawthorpetextiles.org.uk

Discover the Brontë connection

Gawthorpe Hall is the final stop on the long-distance walking route ‘The Brontë Way’. Novelist Charlotte Brontë visited Gawthorpe in 1850 to stay with Sir James and Lady Kay-Shuttleworth. She described Gawthorpe Hall as ‘...grey, stately and picturesque, a model of old English architecture.’

Volunteer room guide talking to visitors in the Long Gallery at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire
Discover more about the Long Gallery from the room guides at Gawthorpe Hall | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Inside Gawthorpe Hall

Step inside the Elizabethan Gawthorpe Hall to discover rooms filled with Victorian Gothic furnishings and decoration. The house was restored in 1850-52 by Sir Charles Barry, the celebrated architect of the Palace of Westminster, and the architect and designer A.W.N Pugin. It is the only country house where these two giants of Victorian architecture collaborated.

See portraits and a magnificent fireplace in the Entrance Hall, admire the highly decorative Jacobean ceiling in the Drawing Room, delight in the Crace furnishings in the Dining Room and climb up the winding oak-panelled staircase at the heart of the hall to see the Long Gallery, Huntroyde bedroom, dressing room, and exhibition spaces.

View across the garden and lawn to the South Front of Gawthorpe Hall with blue sky above on a sunny day

Discover more at Gawthorpe Hall

Find out when Gawthorpe Hall is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

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