Gawthorpe Hall

Originally a modest pele tower on the banks of the River Calder, it was transformed by the Shuttleworth family in 1605. The house's design is attributed to the renowned architect Robert Smythson, and it later received a Victorian makeover by Sir Charles Barry, the architect behind the Houses of Parliament. Today, Gawthorpe Hall is managed by the National Trust and Lancashire County Council, so the public can enjoy the Grade I listed building that seamlessly blends Elizabethan features with Victorian grandeur.

Portraits and costume

The house holds the distinction of housing the largest collection of portraits in the North West of England, on loan from the National Portrait Gallery. A selection from the extensive Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, founded by Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, is also on display.

Historic house

The house is a treasure trove of original features, including 17th-century Jacobean panelling and ornate plasterwork in the Drawing Room. Wander through the Victorian rooms, meticulously restored by Barry, and gain a glimpse into aristocratic life during the 1890s.

Brontë connection

The house stands as the final stop on the Brontë Way, a long-distance route celebrating the lives and works of the famed literary family. Charlotte Brontë is known to have visited the hall and met fellow author Elizabeth Gaskell through the Shuttleworth family.

Explore the grounds

The Hall is surrounded by formal landscaped gardens and 40 acres of Woodland, with plenty of wildlife to discover. There is also a natural play area and circular walk.