The revival of Calverley Old Hall

Calverley Old Hall is a Grade I-listed manor house which, before restoration work began, was considered amongst the most at-risk buildings in England.

The building originally came to The Landmark Trust in 1982, and one corner of Calverley Old Hall held a Landmark for four decades. In 2022 we were able at last to begin a major, two-year project to bring the whole site back into new use, creating spectacular self-catering holiday accommodation for 10 people alongside dedicated space for local communities. 

The restoration of Calverley Old Hall was made possible with a £1,600,000 Heritage Enterprise Grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, as well as support from trusts and foundations, generous gifts in wills and a remarkable 2,005 further individual supporters, we have been able to rescue and restore this Grade-1 listed building for future generations and provide meaningful training opportunities for the local community.

Crafting Cultures 

At the heart of Calverley’s restoration has been a series of workshops, events, activities and training opportunities, including the sharing of traditional craft skills with volunteers, trainees, and apprentices. Coming at a time of instability and uncertainty in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, the project aimed to provide stepping-stones for a new generation of heritage specialists, including through accredited training and meaningful work experience placements. 

A new era for Calverley Old Hall

Our imaginative and environmentally sustainable scheme by Cowper Griffith Architects has fused the conservation of medieval fabric with contemporary design. We’re thrilled to be working with Ilkley-based contractors Dobson Construction and that, on completion, the project will bring Calverley Old Hall off the Heritage At Risk Register, safeguarding it for future generations.    

See the architects' plans

A brief history of Calverley Old Hall

Calverley Old Hall has a history of real fascination. Its story begins in the 12th century, when a family called Scot built a stone and timber house on the site, traces of which still survive.

Delve into the Hall's history

 

‘I recently made a first visit to Calverley Old Hall, and while I had read my brief and seen the photographs, I was still ill-prepared for the wonder of walking into the soaring spaces of the Solar and then the Great Hall – the timber and stone fabric of these ancient places echoing with historical voices.  And that was before I saw the incredible wall paintings which we were so fortunate to discover.

The transformation of Calverley Old Hall will be one of Landmark’s most precious and costly projects. Forty years in development yet now in the last knockings of our fundraising appeal, thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players together with other wonderful supporters, we can reveal and share the special place. We are incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and all who have contributed.’

Alan Leibowitz, Chairman of the Landmark Trust

With heartfelt thanks

The restoration of Calverley Old Hall is made possible withThe National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to rescue and restore this Grade-1 listed building for future generations. 

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The National Lottery Heritage Fund

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players it supports projects that connect people and communities to heritage. The Fund's vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. The National Lottery Heritage Fund believes in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.

Our generous supporters 

We are thrilled that the transformation also has support from trusts and foundations, generous gifts in wills and a remarkable 2,005 further individual supporters.

Supporters of Calverley Old Hall

Supporting Landmark