Preserving History: The £1.35 Million Roof Restoration of Gawthorpe Hall's Iconic 400-Year-Old Barn
The 400-year-old barn at Gawthorpe Hall, a historic site in Lancashire, is set to undergo a £1.35 million roof restoration. This Grade I-listed barn, dating back to 1605, has witnessed centuries of history and served various purposes, from agricultural storage to an indoor training area for Burnley Football Club and an arts and exhibition space. The National Trust, which acquired the barn in the 1970s, aims to reopen it to the public, offering a range of activities like craft markets, weddings, and medieval banquets.
The barn's roof, which has been leaking, is being repaired by specialists using traditional heritage craft skills. The project also includes the removal of stone slates, with the goal of reusing as many as possible. This work will not only restore the barn's functionality but also create a more comfortable environment for the local colony of brown long-eared and pipistrel bats.
Dan Taylor, the National Trust's general manager for South Cumbria and Lancashire, highlights the barn's architectural significance. "It soars above a structure which includes some of the earliest dated ox stalls in Britain," he said. The restoration will enable the public to appreciate the barn's original structure, which is described as "jaw-dropping."
The project presents an opportunity for the local building and conservation community to enhance their skills in heritage craftsmanship, including timber repairs and pointing. Additionally, a new boundary wall will be constructed to the west of the barn. The work is expected to be completed in the summer, following which the barn will be available for local events and community use.
Gawthorpe Hall, an Elizabethan mansion, has a rich history, including hosting Charlotte Bronte, the author of Jane Eyre, in 1850 and 1855. The hall and its family have inspired contemporary author Stacey Halls, who set her novel 'The Familiars' at Gawthorpe. The restoration of the barn is the initial step in a long-term development plan for the entire Gawthorpe Hall estate.
