New era dawning at Calverley Old Hall

We're delighted to announce that our ambitious project to transform Calverley Old Hall has reached its fundraising target.

Awarded a £1,600,000 Heritage Enterprise Grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, 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. Together these funds secure Calverley Old Hall’s future. 

The manor house is Grade I-listed and currently considered amongst the most at-risk buildings in England. Our two year project is bringing the whole site into new use and will see spectacular self-catering holiday accommodation for 10 alongside dedicated space for local communities. 

A revival with transformative opportunities for all

Incrementally developed by the Calverley family from the 12th century onwards, Calverley Old Hall is awe-inspiring in scale and yet has been largely near derelict in internal condition. Our imaginative and environmentally sustainable scheme by Cowper Griffith Architects is fusing 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.    

At the heart of Calverley’s restoration is a series of activities and 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 is providing stepping-stones for a new generation of heritage specialists, including through accredited training and meaningful work experience placements. Running throughout is a vibrant programme of open days and creative activities enabling people from all backgrounds to get involved. 

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Activities and events

Progress so far

Throughout the restoration project we have been offering a series of workshops, events, activities and training opportunities for members of our local community, and visitors from further afield. Our aim is to use our theme of Crafting Cultures to connect communities, cultures and heritage using Calverley Old Hall as inspiration.

For information about training opportunities, Open Days, creative workshops, volunteering opportunities and how to get involved at Calverley Old Hall click the button below.

Upcoming and past events

Classroom resources

We have been able to welcome some of our local schools to learn more about Calverley Old Hall and the family who once lived there. As part of this, we have produced a set of Key Stage 2 classroom resources that can be used as part of the classroom learning experience, or adapted for home-schooling.

Download the free resources

 

Community garden ideas

We are creating a brand-new garden at Calverley Old Hall for the community to use, and we need your help.

We would like to ensure that the garden becomes a real asset to the community and is valued for years to come. With this in mind, we have set up a way for our neighbours to share their design ideas with us.

Find out more and share your ideas

 

Calverley Old Hall Crafting Cultures training videos

Thanks to funding from National Lottery Players, we have been able to produce some short training videos to share some of the traditional craft skills being used on site. Find out how to fix a sash window cord, and get a glimpse into the exciting renovation of Calverley Old Hall.

Watch the video

 

‘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

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