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 £1.5m 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).
The barn building includes a café space with a kitchen, and expressions of interest will be sought this summer from local operators who may be interested in opening the café from June 2026 to serve visitors to the hall and the estate as well as the users of the Burnley Football Club training facilities. If you would like to receive the tender information, please contact dan.taylor@nationaltrust.org.uk
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 now largely funded thanks to a generous legacy, the kind support of the Wolfson Foundation and many local donors, groups and organisations. Donations to make our conservation and community access plans a reality are still welcome, and if you would like to donate, please click the button below.
July 2025
We've appointed Historic Property Restoration Ltd to carry out the roof repairs on the Great Barn. They specialise in the resoration and conservation of historic buildings, and have previously worked on restoration projects at Townley Hall and Seaton Delaval Hall.
The contractors will be on site from mid-August. The work is due for completion in June 2026.
Donate today to help look after Gawthorpe Hall's history, nature and beauty for future generations to enjoy.
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