Rufford Old Hall - National Trust

Rufford Hall was Grade I listed in 1968 and owned by the National Trust since 1936. The house is said to be built in the late 15th Century by Thomas Hesketh and was owned by the family until the National Trust purchased it.

The great hall stands from that time, this the section on the left of the photo below. There is a 17th and 19th Century section. The Heskeths built Rufford New Hall in the 18th century so the Old Hall was tenanted by a farmer and a school from 1798. In 1821 it was restored for the eldest son of Sir Dalrymple Hesketh who lived there until he succeeded in 1842.

The house has a large garden area and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal is nearby which enables walks. This is a nice part of Lancashire with the villages of Bretherton and Croston not very far away.

The National Trust have a cafe and do guided tours of the house.

There are five Grade I listed buildings in West Lancashire, the others being Scarisbrook Hall, the remains of Burscough Priory, St Cuthberts Church at Halsall, St Michaels at Aughton.

Refs: British History on line and Wikipedia.

Find out about visiting the house on the National Trust website.