The History of Rufford Old Hall
Rufford Old Hall remains a significant presence in the Lancashire landscape, having been built for the Hesketh family, the lords of the manor of Rufford. While the National Trust dates the construction of the house to around 1530, some architectural assessments suggest the origins of the structure may reach back further, to the late fifteenth century. This long-standing residence has witnessed centuries of local history, transitioning from a private family seat to a preserved site under the care of the National Trust. This transition occurred in 1936, when the property was presented to the Trust by Thomas Fermor-Hesketh, 1st Baron Hesketh.
The continuity of the Hesketh family's connection to the estate lasted for many generations. However, the house was eventually abandoned as a primary residence in about 1798. Since that time, the building has been maintained as a significant example of Tudor architecture. The survival of the original timber-framed elements provides a direct link to the era of its construction, preserving the atmosphere of the original manor for those who visit the site today.
The Architecture of the Tudor Manor
The structure follows an H-shaped plan, with the Great Hall serving as its central core. This hall is a significant example of Tudor hammerbeam construction, organized into five distinct bays. Within this space, a freestanding carved wooden screen of bog oak remains, a rare survival from the first half of the sixteenth century. The hall is designated as a Grade I listed building by English Heritage.
The evolution of the house is visible in its varying styles and materials. In 1661, a brick-built wing was added in the Jacobean style, positioned at right angles to the Great Hall. The east wing underwent a significant transformation in the 1720s; it was rebuilt using sixteenth-century timbers salvaged from Holmeswood Hall. This reuse of material connects the later additions to the earlier history of the estate.
Beyond the main residence, the courtyard at the rear contains several secondary structures. The courtyard cottage, the coach house, and the stables are all designated Grade II. These buildings complete the domestic arrangement of the site, maintaining the historical character of the Hesketh family's former seat.
Masterpieces of the Collection
The Great Hall holds a rare presence in the form of a freestanding carved wooden screen of bog oak. This sixteenth-century work remains in the position it has occupied for centuries, a heavy and immovable fixture of the room. Nearby, the Ante Room contains wool and silk textiles from the seventeenth century. These pieces depict landscapes through fine threadwork, offering a quiet view of the natural world within the domestic interior.
In the dining room, a Flemish landscape painting by Gommaert van der Gracht, dating from about 1634, provides a focal point for the space. The work sits in conversation with the architectural details of the room. The Long Gallery continues this tradition of visual history, containing a collection of portraits and various decorative items that line the walls.
- Thomas Holcroft, Tenant Farmer, 1835 - Hannah Maria Hudson
- Sir Thomas George Fermor Hesketh (1849–1924), 7th Bt, of Rufford, 1883 - Frederick Sandys
- Sir Thomas Dalrymple Hesketh (1777–1842), 3rd Bt, of Rufford - John Hayter
- Maria Harriet Hesketh, Lady Palk (1826-1905) later Baroness Haldon, 1860 - Filippo Grispini
Visiting the Historic Estate
The grounds offer a quiet space for reflection, featuring beautifully landscaped gardens that surround the house. A paddock lies nestled alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, providing a sense of the local landscape. For those seeking a moment of repose, the Victorian tea room provides a setting for afternoon tea. The Coach House holds a wide selection of second-hand books, offering a slower pace of discovery.
Guided tours are available to provide insight into the history of the Hesketh family and the evolution of the manor. These walks allow for a closer examination of the timber-framed structures and the various additions made to the estate over the centuries. The presence of the gardens and the proximity to the canal create a sense of continuity with the surrounding Lancashire plain.
