Ordsall Hall

About the museum

Ordsall Hall is a timber-framed manor house on the edge of Salford. The name first appears in records in 1177, and a house probably stood here by 1251. The Radclyffe family acquired the manor in the 14th century and held it for roughly 300 years. Sir Alexander Radclyffe built the present Great Hall in 1512, and a brick wing was added in 1639.

Financial problems after the English Civil War forced the sale of the hall in 1662, and over the following centuries it passed through several families. The painter Frederic Shields lived there in the 1870s. In the late 19th century it served as a working men's club and later as a clergy training school, and the east wing had been demolished before 1812. Salford Corporation bought the hall in 1959.

It opened to the public as a period house and local history museum in April 1972. A restoration costing 6.5 million GBP took place between February 2009 and May 2011. Today the hall is run by Salford Community Leisure and offers rooms to explore, a gardens and orchard area, a cafe and shop, school programmes and an events programme including the Ghosts and Legends stories of the house.

Highlights

• Grade I listed Tudor manor house with a Great Hall of 1512
• Radclyffe family history from the 14th century
• Period rooms and local history displays
• Gardens, orchard and a historic barn
• British Sign Language and audio described digital tours

Permanent exhibition

• Ordsall Hall period rooms and local history displays – The Tudor Great Hall and other historic rooms of the Grade I listed manor house, with displays on the hall's families and on local history.

Founded

1972

Operated by

Salford Community Leisure

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The hall is free to visit. Salford Museums Membership is available.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The ground floor is step-free and two lifts serve the upper floors, except the Coat of Arms room, which is reached by eleven steps from the Great Chamber; staff can show a side route that avoids four stone steps between the Great Hall and the Star Chamber. Some areas have uneven floors, low beams and spiral staircases, and mobility scooters are difficult to use. There are accessible toilets with emergency pull cords, a hearing loop at reception (a portable loop can be booked for tours and talks), a large print guide, Braille guides, sensory bags, child and adult ear defenders and non-verbal choosing boards. A digital British Sign Language tour and a digital audio described tour are available online. Blue Badge bays are in the car park, about 100 metres from the entrance, and Blue Badge holders can park free for up to 3 hours. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Children are welcome free of charge with a responsible adult. Family trails and the Let's Explore bookmark trail are available, and crafts, storytelling and workshops run in school holidays. There is no buggy park, but most areas can be reached with a buggy, although some historic rooms have uneven floors and narrow doorways.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Small cafe serving toasties, teacakes, snacks, cakes and hot drinks, with a gift shop selling local crafts and souvenirs. Free Wi-Fi is listed among the visitor facilities. Picnic area in the orchard.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 250 guests.

Three meeting rooms (10 to 35 people), the entire hall (seating for 88, up to 250 in the gardens) and the Barn (50 standing or 36 seated) can be hired; weddings and civil ceremonies are offered.

Plan your visit