Tucked away off the A59 in the village of Rufford, is an old Tudor house which offers visitors a glimpse into a different time. With a charming black and white timber-framed exterior and a wonderfully ornate interior, Rufford Old Hall is a magical place to visit.
Set in extensive grounds beside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, this National Trust site is the perfect place to go for a day out from Greater Manchester - it’s around an hour’s drive away. Whether you’re a history fan or not, you’re bound to be impressed by the hall’s historical features and beautiful gardens.
Built for Sir Robert Hesketh in around 1530, the hall was originally based on an ‘H’ plan although the west wing has since gone. Over the centuries additions have been built on the house in a sympathetic Tudor Gothic style.
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You can’t help but be blown away stepping into the Great Hall where the walls are adorned in wooden carvings. Inside this room is the hall’s ornate free-standing carved screen, which was built in around 1530-40 and is the only one of its kind to have survived intact.
Elsewhere, you can see the hall’s extensive tapestry and arms collections, as well as a beautiful stained-glass window in the Drawing Room. You can feel the layers of history as you walk round the building and there’s even evidence to suggest Shakespeare spent some time here in his youth.
The grounds at Rufford Old Hall are just as impressive. Enjoy a relaxed stroll through the orchard or walk along the towering beech trees in the paddock.
Keep your eyes peeled for the giant squirrel-shaped topiaries which can be found at the Squirrel Border. There’s also a pretty woodland walk you can do which will take you to the open North Paddock where dogs on leads are welcome.
After exploring the hall you can get a refreshment in the Victorian-style tea room, which serves a range of snacks, light lunches and cream teas.
Rufford Old Hall is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in February and March, with opening hours extended in the spring and summer. The house is open from 11am until 3.20pm, while the garden and tea rooms open from 10.30am. Adult tickets cost £9.50 while child tickets cost £4.75, for non-national trust members. For more information, visit the National Trust website here.
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