Places

Nestled in-between a housing and an industrial estate, the hall is a Grade I listed building that has a fine selection of exhibits and, if you believe in such things, its fair share of ghosts.

Built over 800 years ago, the hall was home to several prominent families, including the Radclyffes, who owned it for over three centuries. Various members of the dynasty held high positions, including Sir Alexander Radclyffe who was High Sheriff of Lancashire.

In fact, the family are so important to the building that the hall’s most famous spectre is reported to be a Radclyffe. The White Lady, who is said to wander around the hall’s most famous room, the Star Chamber, is thought to be Queen Elizabeth I's favourite maid of honour, Margaret Radclyffe, who died in 1599 from a broken heart following the death of her brother.

A hidden gem

Interestingly, the fact that the hall is hidden away on the edge of an Ordsall estate, is actually down to its original prestige, as in the latter half of the nineteenth century, the land around it was engulfed in factories and the increased housing that went with it as the owners sought to cash in on the burgeoning Industrial Revolution.

It became a museum in 1972, housing collections of local history and standing as a fine example of Tudor architecture.

'An absolute surprise'

Les Willis, who works at the Hall, says that the team there are very pleased with the award.

Ordsall Hall's Great Hall

"It’s better than an Oscar for us. It was an absolute surprise. We never expected to win it as there were so many fine places up against us."

He says that while the Hall is hidden in Ordsall, it doesn’t concern him that people in Greater Manchester are only starting to discover the place, despite the fact it’s been a museum for 35 years.

"The more people that stumble across us… well, that just means more people coming through the door, and we’re delighted about that.

"It’s the most amazing building, the only Grade I listed one in the area, and there are six million people living around us, who can all come and visit us if they want to!"

Ordsall Hall Museum is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and on a Sunday between 1pm and 4pm. Entry is free.