Oakwell Hall

About the museum

Oakwell Hall is a Grade I listed Elizabethan manor house built in local gritstone. A recarved stone dated 1583 probably marks the year of construction by John Batt, whose family lived here in the 17th century. A detailed inventory from 1611 and local records have guided the restoration of the interior, and the rooms have been returned to the appearance of a family home in the 1690s. Painted panelling in the Great Parlour and the painted chamber was uncovered under later layers of varnish and paint.

In the 19th century a girls’ school was run in the house. Charlotte Brontë visited it in the 1830s and later used the house as the model for Fieldhead in her novel Shirley, published in 1849. A local legend tells of the ghost of William Batt, who was killed in a duel in London in 1684.

The hall passed into public ownership in 1928 and is now run by Kirklees Council with help from volunteers from the Friends of Oakwell Hall. It stands in a country park of about 110 acres with period gardens, nature trails and a playground.

Highlights

• Elizabethan manor house, Grade I listed
• Rooms furnished as a family home of the 1690s
• Painted panelling in the Great Parlour
• Link to Charlotte Brontë’s novel Shirley
• 110-acre country park with period gardens and trails

Permanent exhibition

• The furnished manor house – Rooms restored and furnished as a gentry family home of the 1690s, including painted panelling and the Great Hall.

Operated by

Kirklees Council

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground floor is fully accessible, but the upper floors cannot be reached by wheelchair users, and stairs, low doorways and uneven surfaces can limit access. A large-print guide is available and ramps serve the gardens. There is an accessible toilet in the visitor centre courtyard and a Changing Places toilet (open 9:00 to 17:00 from April to September, 9:00 to 16:00 from October to March). Both car parks have disabled spaces.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The country park has a playground, picnic areas, nature trails and a mountain bike track. Baby changing is available in the visitor centre toilets.

Getting there & parking

Sat nav address: Nutter Lane, Birstall WF17 9LG.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Willows Coffee Shop in the country park is open daily 9:00 to 16:00, with indoor and outdoor seating, and serves hot food, sandwiches and cakes. A shop is in the visitor centre.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings, room hire and use as a film location are offered.

Plan your visit