Lancashire Historic Houses

Astely Hall

Dating back to the Elizabethan period, Astley still has large parts of the original timber framing surviving. The distinctive glass front was rebuilt in the 1650s in brick when the  plaster ceilings in the Great Hall and Drawing Room were added. In the early 1800s the park was created, the front rendered and the East Wing added. The house contains much oak furniture from the 1600s, including the Sirloin Chair and a 27ft long shovel board table

Astley Park, Chorley  PR7 1NP  Tel: 01257 515 555  Email

Browsholme Hall

Built in 1507, has been the ancestral home of the Parker Family, Bowbearers of the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire since it was built. There is a major collection of furniture, arms, stained glass and other strange antiquities along with portraits including Devis and Romney.

Forest of Bowland  BB7 3DE Tel: 01254 826 719  Email

Gawthorpe Hall

An Elizabethan gem in the heart of industrial Lancashire. There are many notable paintings, including some on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, and an unparalleled collection of needlework, assembled by the last family member to live here, Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth.

Padiham  nr BurnleyBB12 8UA Tel:  01282 771004    Email

Hoghton Tower

Situated in Lancashire between Preston and Blackburn, this Elizabethan fortified hilltop Manor House, one of the finest renaissance buildings in England, is the ancestral home of the de Hoghton family. Built in 1565, the Tower has played host to many famous figures in history including William Shakespeare, England's greatest poet and dramatist, and Charles Dickens, the most popular novelist of the 19th century. In 1617 King James I was a guest and at a banquet held in his honour he so enjoyed a joint of beef that he knighted it 'Sir Loin'.

Opening Times: July, Aug & Sept: Mon - Thur, 11am - 4pm. Sun, 1 - 5pm. BH Sun & Mon excluding Christmas & New Year. Group visits by appointment all year
 
Hoghton, Preston, PR5 0SH  Tel:  01254 852986   Email

Lancaster Priory

Lancaster Priory dates from the 11th century though there has been a church on this site from 630 A.D. The present building, next to Lancaster Castle, is mainly 15th century.

Lancaster Priory, Castle Hill, Lancaster, LA1 1YZ  Tel: 01524 65338   Email

Leighton Hall

The historic home of the world-renowned Gillow furniture making family, Leighton Hall is a stunning location for a day out, an exclusive wedding or extraordinary corporate event.

Its romantic Gothic towers, acres of beautiful gardens and trained birds of prey annually lure thousands of visitors who are as enthralled with Leighton's fascinating heritage as they are captivated by the breathtaking beauty of their surroundings

Carnforth,   LA5 9ST   Tel: 01524 734474   Email

Lytham Hall

The Hall was built for the Clifton family between 1752-1763. It is a Grade 1 listed building situated in almost 80 acres of mature park and woodland. The halls includes family portraits, furniture and original fittings.  The Hall was built for the Clifton family between 1752-1763.

Ballam Road Lytham    FY8 4LE   Tel: 01253 736652   Email

Rufford Old Hall

A spectacular Great Hall, movable wooden screen and hammerbeam roof. Evidence suggests that Shakespeare performed in the hall for the owner. The rest of the house contains collections of 16th and 17th century oak furniture, arms and armour. The ground are laid out in Victorian style and feature topiary and sculpture.

Rufford, Nr Ormskirk,  L40 1SG  Tel: 01704 821254   Email

Samlesbury Hall

Built in 1325, the hall is an attractive black and white timbered manor house set in extensive grounds. An Elizabethan gem in the heart of industrial Lancashire. There are many notable paintings, including some on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, and an unparalleled collection of needlework, assembled by the last family member to live here, Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth.

Preston New Road,  Samlesbury,  Preston, PR5 0UP  Tel: 01254 812010    Email