Rufford Old Hall

Rufford Old Hall is a timber-framed manor house in Rufford built around 1530 and now operates as a museum. The most striking feature is the Great Hall with its hammerbeam roof, ornate carved wooden screen, and decorative black and white timber framing throughout.

The house was built around 1530 for Sir Robert Hesketh and remained in the family until 1936, when Thomas Fermor-Hesketh donated it to the National Trust. This gift allowed the public to access one of the finest examples of a Tudor-era manor house.

The Great Hall contains an extensive collection of weapons, armor, and 17th-century oak furniture that reflects how English nobility lived during that period. These objects offer insight into the daily life of wealthy families from centuries past.

The ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users, making it easier for visitors with different mobility needs to explore the space. The estate also offers access to gardens, woodland paths, and the nearby Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Records suggest that William Shakespeare may have performed in the Great Hall around 1585 as part of the Hesketh Company of Players. This possible connection links the house to the early history of English theater.

Location: Rufford

Operator: National Trust

Part of: National Trust

Address: 200 Liverpool Road, Rufford, near Ormskirk L40 1SG

Website: https://nationaltrust.org.uk/rufford-old-hall

GPS coordinates: 53.63790,-2.81369

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:45