The Great Barn at Gawthorpe Hall has seen 420 years worth of stories and is now entering its next chapter. The Grade I listed building's roof has received a number of temporary repairs over the years, but major works are now needed to secure the long-term future of the building. Find out more about our plans below.
Originally built as a high-status building in 1605, the 100-foot long Great Barn is a rare survivor of a type of building uncommon in Lancashire. The Grade I listed building has been used for a variety of different things throughout its history, from agricultural storage to an indoor training area for Burnley Football Club, and more recently as an arts and exhibition space.
The barn has been described as “one of the finest aisled barns in the North West”. Its roof structure is largely original, and its ox stalls are “possibly the earliest dated example in Britain”.
The building has been closed to the public since 2008.
We're investing £1.35m to reroof the Great Barn, coach house and toilet block to secure its long-term future and reopen the space for visitors. The roof and timber rafters will be repaired using heritage craft skills in order to stop rainwater leaking through the structure.
As a conservation charity we want to look after historic places for future generations and provide new experiences to visitors. The roof has received a number of temporary repairs over the years, but major works are now needed to secure the long-term future of the building.
Watch this video to find out more about the future vision and what this will mean for visitors and businesses - Click here
This project allows us to secure the long-term future of a 420-year-old Grade I listed building in the heart of Padiham by working with builders with proven heritage craft skills. Through a range of activities and events, the project will offer a chance for the local building and conservation community to develop their knowledge and experience with heritage skills.
The Great Barn has been closed to visitors since 2008. Repairing the roof will allow us to reopen this multi-purpose space once again. We want to work with the local community and partners to gather as many ideas as possible for how this magnificent space could be used in the future. You can help us gather ideas by filling in a short survey (click below).
For enquiries in relation to hiring the barn please email greatbarnenquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk
We would like to invite you to the Great Barn reopening celebration event, on Wednesday 15 July, 3pm – 5.30pm.
The afternoon will include:
From 3pm: Arrival & Refreshments (served by Mooch Gawthorpe)
3.30pm: Opening Celebration
4pm - 5.30pm: Explore the Great Barn
Places are limited, so please book your place early.
We’re looking for some wonderful volunteers to play a key role in engaging visitors and enhancing their visit to the Great Barn.
Volunteering is a wonderful way to share your skills and passions as well as make new friends while doing your bit to ensure places like Gawthorpe are preserved for future generations. For more details, please email greatbarnenquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk
We’re thrilled to announce that the owners of Mooch café 87 in Padiham will be opening up their second site here at Gawthorpe Hall, serving a range of hot and cold refreshments, light meals, ice-cream, snacks and confectionery.
Already serving wholesome and hearty food in the centre of Padiham, they will trade under the name - Mooch Gawthorpe, initially opening their short-term pop-up café from July 2026, followed by a full launch early 2027. Mooch Gawthorpe will be located in the tea-room off the cobbled courtyard, next to the Great Barn.
We look forward to welcoming Alison and her team to Gawthorpe.
The Great Barn roofing project is the first step in our-long term ambitions for Gawthorpe Hall. It can kickstart the development of a new long-term vision for the site. In the coming years, we want to enhance the experience that the visitors and the local community receive across Gawthorpe.
A colony of brown long-eared and pipistrel bats breed and hibernate in the Great Barn each year. Repairing the leaky roof means that we can continue to look after their home for years to come.
The project is funded thanks to a generous legacy, the kind support of the Wolfson Foundation, Historic England, Lancashire Environmental Fund, Burnley Council via their UK Shared Prosperity Fund and many local donors, groups and organisations. Donations to support the upkeep of the Great Barn and other public facilities at Gawthorpe Hall are still welcome, and if you would like to donate, please click the button below.
May 2026
Works to restore the roof of the Great Barn have now been completed, and the long-term future of this building secured.
Over the next few months, works will continue around the boundary of the barn, and in October - after the bat maternity season, reroofing will be completed on the Coach House.
Donate today to help look after Gawthorpe Hall's history, nature and beauty for future generations to enjoy.
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The public body that looks after England's historic environment.
The Lancashire Environmental Fund (LEF) is a partnership between SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd, Lancashire County Council, The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside and Community Futures.
Burnley Borough Council is a democratic organisation which is all about working hard for residents of the borough.
Get up close to the Elizabethan architecture and period interiors inside Gawthorpe Hall, then enjoy a stroll through its formal garden.
From discovering the majestic woods where children can enjoy the natural play area and views across Pendle Hill, to exploring inside the Hall’s stunning historic rooms that show what life was like in the Victorian period for the Kay-Shuttleworth family who once resided there.
Gawthorpe Hall is a one pawprint rated place. Dogs on leads are more than welcome in most areas of the grounds, but there are a few things you need to know.
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A fine Tudor house and colourful garden, home to five centuries of Lancashire and Hesketh family history
