By Anne Akers
Calverley’s historic Old Hall has been shortlisted in two categories for the Museums and Heritage Awards.
The multi-million pound renovation work on the building itself, along with the community engagement project to involve local people, is shortlisted in the Restoration or Conservation Project of the Year and Community Engagement Programme of the Year.
The Old Hall on Woodhall Road, was re-opened last year after a £5million renovation programme, which included £1.7m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
It is owned by the Landmark Trust, the charity which buys historic buildings, preserving them to offer as holidays lets. Calverley Old Hall is its biggest ever project and taking the building from its near derelict state to quality accommodation for up to ten people and providing a community space and garden for the village.
Landmark has owned the Old Hall since 1981 when some of the cottages were still occupied and part of it had been destroyed by fire.
It dates back to the 12th century and became a place of some importance during Tudor times and a place of notoriety in the 1600s when Sir Walter Calverley murdered two of his sons there.
Under Landmark, people first stayed in the renovated cottages while plans and funding were worked through to transform the rest of the hall.
During that time the Grade 1 listed building was put on Historic England’s Heritage At Risk register because parts of it were in such a state of disrepair. Thanks to the funding and extensive works, it was removed from the register in 2024.
The Old Hall is up against the National Trust, National Museum of the Royal Navy and Historic England in the two categories. See the full shortlist here. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London next month.
Open days – May 17 and 18
If you want to see the hall for yourselves, there are two open days in May. Visitors will be able to tour the hall and see two brand new artworks inspired by the Painted Chamber. There will also be the chance to take part in creative activities with professional artists Georgina Davy and Ian Kirkpatrick. Book here, but hurry, spaces fill very quickly!
Read more of our coverage about Calverley Old Hall here.