Sunday dawned bright and sunny with an Autumnal nip in the air. We decided to try visiting Gawthorpe Hall again , a handsome looking Grade 1 listed Elizabethan residence in Padiham. On our last visit the car park was jam packed full on a weekend lunch time ,so we turned back. And sure enough it was pretty busy at half nine on this particular morning too. It turns out there is a school football ground nearby so I guess families were dropping off their kids. I’m not to sure where Hall visitors should park at such times. 😦 However we were fortunate on this occasion!
Although it would have been lovely to look inside this fine old house, we had Hugo with us ( dogs are only allowed in the grounds and Stubbins Estate) so we explored the outside for a couple of hours. Hugo enjoyed bombing around and it was still early enough for him not to bother anyone. The Hall itself did not open until 11am.
Gawthorpe Hall was built in the early 1600’s and was the family seat of the Shuttleworth family until the 20th century when it was gifted to the National Trust.
A lot of work was done on the house and garden in the 1840’s when Janet Shuttleworth married Sir James Kay of Rochdale. The now Kay-Shuttleworths commissioned Sir Charles Barry to carry out restorations . Sir Charles was the architect who remodelled Highclere House , which is the filming location of Downton Abbey. The couple were also friendly with Charlotte Bronte who visited Gawthorpe a couple of times and it is through them that she met her friend, the writer Elizabeth Gaskell.
A walk around the estate and we met these two characters. I shall call them Nippy and Chomper ! Chomper took a shine to me and more specifically my right arm. They were cute…but hungry. Serves me right for not bringing them apples. 🙂
The grounds at Gawthorpe Hall are lovely to walk around especially in Autumn when the trees are slowly changing from green to reds and golds. I will leave you with a few more photos and if you would like to learn more about this National Trust Property, please take a look at Cathy’s blog post here.
sunshine and celandines 
What a beautiful place! Will definitely have to add it to places to visit. 🙂
Yes it was.Hopefully I will get to take a look inside oneday too.They have a Bronte exhibition there.x
I visited a few years ago and remember going in the house but not having so much time for the grounds! I’d like to revisit and explore the grounds one day. Looks like you had a great day for it!
Yeh we were really lucky with the weather! X
Ha ha! You’re just lie us, peeking over the hedges at NT properties because we have a dog!
Yes thats true! Ha ha!! X
Beautiful post and beauty photos. Hawthorne Hall and it’s surroundings look really lovely. Looks like you had a gorgeous day for your visit! 🙂
It’s quite local, I’m surprised I have never been there before now.x
Even if you weren’t able to go inside it looks lovely from the outside as well. What does it mean that it is Grade 1 listed?
Even more significant historically than a grade 2 listed building apparently .A protected bulding that cannot be altered.
It is well worth a visit.
And the JP who lived in it in the 1630s was a prominent backer of Roger Brierley.
superb post
Thanks. 🙂
Townley hall is definitely also worth a visit
Yes, I still have not been there. Its on the list…
nice grounds too