East Riddlesden Hall
Take a walk around East Riddlesden Hall with me. Although it was a bleak November day, but there were still some good shots to be had, both outside and in.
W.S Gilbert (one half of the famous composers Gilbert and Sullivan), is supposed to have been a frequent guest at the hall; and it is reputed that the hall, and its rather notorious family, were the inspiration for the comic opera "Ruddigore".
On the day I visited, I could only go inside the hall by a guided tour, as the rooms were closed off for winter conservation projects. Initially I thought it would be a waste going around the rooms, but I still found it interesting and the guides were most informative.
This is the original Great Hall and if you look above the main fireplace you can see a smaller fireplace - this was at a time when there was a ceiling there - and there were more rooms above.
The manor house was originally built in 1642, when it was owned by a wealthy clothier from nearby Halifax - called James Murgatroyd. Over the centuries extra sections have been added on - some not built very well and eventually collapsed (when they were only built on foundations of about 6 inches)
These are Yorkshire Rose windows, in the passageway that connects a new section to the original house.
There are some fabulous wooden carvings on the Four Poster beds - they really were like their own "Room within a Room".
This is a fine piece of Blackwork embroidery - on a hat that would have been worn to bed.
We had to be extra careful in this Green Room, as the ceiling below was giving cause for concern.
This is the room below the Green Room, where scaffolding is ready to try and assess the damage to the fantastic plaster ceiling.
I do hope this original plaster ceiling can be saved - the cracks do look rather serious.
Back outside..................
The Hall overlooks the delightful River Aire, as it heads towards Keighley.
Communal toilet!!!
The Hall has been used in several TV programmes and films such as the 1992 Wuthering Heights, Most Haunted and Sharpe's Justice.
There is a medieval barn where weddings can be held, areas for children to play, walks along the river as well as a bird hide and several different gardens. There is a delightful tea room and shop. More information at - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/east-riddlesden-hall
I hope you enjoyed this rather different blog!
Lynne
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