East Riddlesden Hall visitor experience manager, Carla Weatherall, reveals thehistoric building’s latest news

 

At this time of year we’re all thinking about giving our homes a bit of a spring clean... and it’s no different at a 17th century manor house like East Riddlesden Hall.

For the past few weeks, we’ve been busy bees sprucing up the hall ready for the spring reopening.

The Great Hall has been given special attention, with the high ceiling beams getting a thorough clean and the Flemish Tapestry, from circa 1600, has been carefully cleaned. Look up on your next visit and imagine the work that goes into it!

Every clock in the hall has had its annual service and been inspected by our horologist, the floors have all been waxed, 150 leaded glass windows cleaned and the huge task of dusting is now complete.

In addition to all the physical tasks that we’ve completed, we’ve been busy planning things for our visitors to do when we re-open, and there’s a packed schedule ahead as we move into a new season this year.

Children will be able to come along and make their own squirrel mask during February half-term, then head out into the garden to take part in our self-led acorn hunt.

For children still looking for something to do, we’ve also got a mural for them to help decorate, a playground for letting off steam in and a mud pie kitchen for extra messiness.

The half-term activities will run from Saturdays to Wednesdays between February 15 and March 2, 10.30am to 4.30pm (the property is closed on Thursdays and Fridays).

The house, garden, shop and tearoom will then be open between 10.30am and 4.30pm at weekends until March 23.

The main season starts on March 24, when the hall will be open Saturdays to Wednesdays between 10.30am and 4.30pm. We are very excited to open our new season with artist in residence, Chrissie Freeth. Chrissie, a local handloom weaver, will be at the hall daily (although please call to double-check prior to visiting), and will be creating a hand-woven tapestry inspired by the property and the people who once lived here.

The tapestry will be created on an eight-foot loom using traditional techniques, and visitors will be encouraged to have a go themselves. Chrissie will be happy to chat about the tapestry and explain about the work that goes into creating such a piece of art.

We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the property this year, and if you’ve never been before, you can be assured of a very warm reception.