Gawthorpe Hall

Gawthorpe Hall is an Elizabethan country house on the River Calder near Burnley in Lancashire. Its grounds stretch into neighbouring Padiham, where the Stockbridge Drive entrance sits. The building holds Grade I listed status, the highest level of heritage protection in England, and today works as a historic house museum.

Who built Gawthorpe Hall, and when?

The hall went up between 1600 and 1605 for the Reverend Lawrence Shuttleworth. His family had lived at Gawthorpe since the late 14th century, and an earlier building stood on the plot. The design is traditionally credited to Robert Smythson, one of the best-known architects of Elizabethan England, though the attribution is not documented and is usually described as such.

What is there to see inside?

In the mid-19th century Charles Barry, the architect of the Houses of Parliament, remodelled and refurnished the interiors. The result is an Elizabethan shell containing Victorian reception rooms, furniture and art.

Textiles are a second draw. Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth lived in the house from 1953 until her death in 1967. A skilled embroiderer and lacemaker, she built a collection that became the core of a nationally important textile archive, now run by an independent charity.

Charlotte Brontë also visited, and through the Shuttleworth family she met fellow novelist Elizabeth Gaskell. The hall is the final stop on The Brontë Way walking route.

Who looks after it?

In 1970 the 4th Lord Shuttleworth gave the hall to the National Trust, with a 99-year lease to Lancashire County Council. The two bodies run it jointly. In 2015 the council put £500,000 towards restoring the south and west sides of the house.

How do I get there, and when should I go?

Use the postcode BB12 8UA (Padiham, Burnley). The hall lies just north of Burnley town centre in the Calder valley, so it is a short drive or taxi ride from the centre. Plan a daytime visit in the main season, when the rooms are open. Opening hours vary through the year, so check the National Trust or hall website before you set out. National Art Pass holders get free entry.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gawthorpe Hall a listed building? Yes. It has been Grade I listed since 1953.

Who designed the house? It is traditionally attributed to Robert Smythson. Charles Barry reworked the interiors in the 19th century.

Who owns it? The National Trust, since 1970. Lancashire County Council holds a 99-year lease and the two manage the hall together.

Is there a literary connection? Yes. Charlotte Brontë visited, and the hall ends The Brontë Way.