Rufford Old Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rufford Old Hall |
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View of the Great Hall,
the oldest surviving part of the house |
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| Type | Hall house |
| Location | Rufford, England |
| Built | c. 1530–1820s |
| Built for | Robert Hesketh |
| Architectural style(s) | Perpendicular Gothic, Jacobean, Gothic Revival |
| Owner | National Trust |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: Rufford Old Hall | |
| Designated | 11 October 1968 |
| Reference no. | 1374141 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Cottage, coach house and stables circa 10 metres east of wing of Rufford Old Hall | |
| Designated | 11 October 1968 |
| Reference no. | 1361856 |
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Rufford Old Hall is a historic house in Rufford, England. It is now looked after by the National Trust. The house was built around 1530 for Sir Robert Hesketh. Only the amazing Great Hall remains from the original building. Later, a brick wing was added in 1661, and a third part was built in the 1820s.
Rufford Old Hall is a very important building, listed as Grade I by English Heritage. This means it has special historical or architectural interest. The small cottage, coach house, and stables nearby are also listed as Grade II.
Contents
History of Rufford Old Hall
The Hesketh family owned Rufford Old Hall for a very long time. They were the main landowners, or "lords of the manor," in Rufford since the 1400s. In 1798, the family moved to a new house called Rufford New Hall.
In 1936, the Hesketh family gave Rufford Old Hall to the National Trust. They also donated their collection of old weapons, armour, and furniture. This gift helps make sure the hall is kept safe for everyone to visit and enjoy today.
Did Shakespeare Visit Rufford Hall?
There's a cool story that William Shakespeare might have performed in the Great Hall! Around 1580, Shakespeare might have worked as a teacher's assistant at Lea Hall, not far from Rufford. A man named Alexander Hoghton mentioned a "William Shakeshaft" in his will. Many believe this was Shakespeare.
Hoghton left his musical instruments and "playe clothes" to Sir Thomas Hesketh. By 1585, Shakespeare may have joined a group of actors called Lord Strange's Men. This group was led by Lord Strange. It's thought Sir Thomas Hesketh might have helped Shakespeare join.
Some people believe a "William Shakeshaft" was part of the "Hesketh Company of Players." This group visited Rufford Old Hall around 1585. This time matches when Shakespeare was away from his hometown of Stratford-on-Avon. He had gotten into trouble for hunting deer without permission.
Architecture of the Hall
The Great Hall is a special type of building called a hall house. It was built with a wooden frame around 1530 for Sir Robert Hesketh. This style was popular in the Tudor times. The hall is about 14 metres (46 feet) long and 6.7 metres (22 feet) wide. Its wooden frame sits on a low stone wall.
The hall has a stone fireplace and a special ceiling called a hammerbeam roof. This roof has five large wooden beams. Each beam ends with a carved wooden angel. From an upstairs room, you can peek into the hall through a small, arched opening called a "squint."
In 1661, a new brick wing was added. It was built in the Jacobean style. This brick part looks very different from the older black and white timber-framed hall.
In the 1820s, a third part of the house was built. A tower was also added to connect the Great Hall to the newer wing. In 1949, a secret room was found above the Great Hall. This room was used as a priest hole in the 1500s. It was a hiding place for Catholic priests during times when their religion was not allowed.
Inside the Great Hall
One of the most amazing things in the Great Hall is a carved wooden screen. It was made from bog oak around 1530-1540. A famous expert, Pevsner, said its decorations are like nothing else in England! It's the only screen of its kind from that time that we know of.
The screen stands at one end of the Great Hall. It used to hide the entrance to the old kitchens. It has three tall decorations and eight carved panels. You can see angels holding shields with family symbols. The National Trust guidebook points out three small mistakes in the screen's design. Some people think these errors were made on purpose. Back then, people believed only God could create something perfect. So, craftsmen might have added small flaws to avoid being accused of heresy. For example, one panel is upside down, one has a different pattern, and one angel has an extra finger!
On the staircase, there's a painting from 1723. It shows Thomas Hesketh, his wife Martha, and their son. In the sitting room, you can see a copy of an old map of Lancashire from 1577.
Gardens and Surroundings
The cottage, coach house, and stables near the house are also historic buildings. Around the hall, there are lovely gardens and open grassy areas. There's also woodland at the front of the house. The Rufford Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs very close to the hall on its east side. This canal was finished in 1781. A fun feature in the gardens is a pair of topiary squirrels, which are bushes shaped like squirrels!
Ghosts of the Hall
Like many old houses, Rufford Old Hall is said to have ghosts! People have reported seeing a "grey lady" and a man in old Elizabethan clothes. Some even say they've seen the ghost of Queen Elizabeth I herself! There are also stories of a man floating above the canal behind the building.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Lancashire
- Listed buildings in Rufford, Lancashire
