Farnley Hall

Farnley Hall is a grand country house built in the 18th century with a square central block and L-shaped wings extending from the sides. The structure is constructed from coursed gritstone and features natural stone slate roofing throughout.

The hall was built during the Elizabethan period by the Danby family as a manor house. The site itself has much older roots, as a place called Fernelei was recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book.

John Ruskin visited the hall repeatedly and admired an extensive collection of J.M.W. Turner watercolors and oil paintings displayed here. The artworks from the early 1800s reflect the hall's role as a gathering place for art enthusiasts and patrons of the time.

The property and its surrounding grounds are now open to the public as Farnley Hall Park after being acquired by Leeds City Council in 1945. Visitors can walk the park area and view the exterior of the house, though access may vary depending on the season and any special arrangements in place.

During World War II, the property was converted into a maternity hospital to serve the local community during wartime needs. This transformation shows how historic buildings have adapted to meet urgent demands of their time.