Oakwell Hall

Oakwell Hall is an Elizabethan manor house built in 1583 with restored period rooms from different eras. The building displays original painted wooden paneling and plasterwork from the 1630s in the Great Parlour.

The house was built in 1583 for John Batte, whose family collected rents for a local landholding family. It passed into municipal ownership in 1928 and later became a public museum.

Charlotte Bronte mentioned this house in her novel Shirley, making it a notable stop on the Bronte Way walking route. The connection to this literary work draws readers interested in the author's local inspirations.

The manor house is mainly open on weekends during school holidays, while a Visitor Centre operates daily during warmer months. It is best to check opening times in advance as they vary by season.

The formal gardens contain more than 80 varieties of herbs representing traditional medicinal and culinary plants from earlier centuries. This collection demonstrates how people once grew and used plants for everyday needs.

Location: Kirklees

Architectural style: Elizabethan architecture

Operator: Kirklees Council

Part of: Kirklees Museums and Galleries

Address: Nutter Lane, Birstall, Batley WF17 9LG

Phone: 01924324761

Website: https://kirklees.gov.uk/beta/museums-and-galleries/oakwell-hall.aspx

GPS coordinates: 53.73998,-1.67182

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:41