Ordsall Hall, which along with Salford Museum and Art Gallery is one of SCL’s two museums, offers a true hidden history gem. At almost 800 years old, the hall has worn many hats over it’s long lifetime including being a self-sufficient estate, a family home, a Working Men’s Club, a Clergy Training School and more! With parts of the building dating as far back as the 1300s, Ordsall Hall falls into just 2% of the UK’s buildings that are Grade 1 listed.
We sat down with Helen, one of Ordsall Hall’s dedicated volunteers, to hear about her journey with the hall, her favourite moments, and what makes this historic Salford treasure so special.
I’d just retired and I needed something to do. A project or little job to keep me busy. I did a quick search online for volunteer roles and Ordsall Hall came up, so I thought I’d give it a go. I didn’t know much about it before I came for my interview. I’d been a school secretary, so I knew of the hall and my own children had visited on school trips themselves, but I’d never actually been myself. From the minute I came for my interview, I just fell in love. It’s such a unique and special place; especially where it’s situated. You’d never expect it to be here.
I love that every day is different. The feeling you get from being in this building is amazing. It’s just so unique and authentic. A lot of what you see around you is from the original hall. Some of the timbers are said to have been salvaged from shipwrecks. I always find myself wondering how they even managed to build something like this all those years ago.
Every time I come in, I feel so lucky to be a part of working here.
The highlights for me are definitely the community events. The summer garden parties we used to do were just wonderful. The open-air theatre programme is really special too; it just brings the place to life. Whenever we have events like that, all the locals come along and you can tell how much the community loves this place. They’re so protective of it.
Christmas is probably my favourite time here though. The hall is decorated beautifully, and we’ll sometimes have a brass band in or host carol concerts. It’s truly magical.
I never used to believe in spirits or ghosts, the paranormal, or that sort of thing. But since working here, I’ve had a few experiences that made me question things. One time, just after Covid, I was stood in the kitchen and I felt somebody pass me. I thought it was odd, because the social distancing was in place, so it was strange to have someone so close. Then I looked. But there was nobody there. At first I thought it was just me, but I looked over to my friend, stood opposite, and she gasped. She told me she saw a black figure by my shoulder, right at that moment. Another time, one of the girls who works here felt her ponytail being pulled, and another person actually saw it happen!
We’ve had all sorts of stories over the years. Locals saying they’ve seen the lights turning off and on and night. People hearing someone walking around upstairs, when they’ve only just opened up the building. I’m sure everyone here would have a few stories to tell!
Yes; the medieval bedroom upstairs. There’s a beam in there that, well on one side the paint work has been restored, so it looks how it would have done when it was new, but the other side has been left, so what you’re seeing there is the original artwork from the 1500s. Honestly, it just gives me chills. Being able to compare it to the restored side to the original work; it’s like seeing history in action!
This whole place just has such an atmosphere. The structure we’re sat in (the Oriel Window) dates back to 1512. It’s still decorated with the original grapevine pattern. According to popular myth, the grapevine design was used by Catholics during the Reformation as a symbol of their faith. Unusually, the Radclyffes of Ordsall Hall were Catholic, but supporters of the Royal family.
Parts of the building are newer too. The far wall from where we are dates to the late 1800s and was designed to resemble a church, as the then owner, Earl Egerton of Tatton, decided to convert the Hall into a Clergy Training School. The whole place is just a tapestry of the history of Salford woven into this one incredible building.
The age, the architecture, the history; it’s absolutely irreplaceable.
There was one woman who came in with her daughter. She was an older lady who had been diagnosed with dementia, but when she stepped inside, all these memories of visiting came flooding back to her. She started talking about poetry she’d heard here. It was like, in that moment, she was her old self again. It was so emotional, especially for her daughter to see. That really stuck with me.
That it’s free, friendly, and there’s loads to do! You can learn as much or as little as you like. There’s information all around the building if you want to read more, or you can just take your time and soak up the atmosphere. Some visitors come because they’re really knowledgeable about history, while others just stumble upon is and come in to see what it’s about. It blows everyone away, whatever their background.
The gardens are also beautiful. They’re planted with authentic, seasonal Tudor plants, so they really add to the atmosphere.
There are all sorts of activities on in the garden all year round, so it’s a really good place to come and explore with children.
Our school sessions are incredible too. My daughters remember their own sessions and they’re grown up now; one is a headmistress at a primary school herself!
The learning facilitators really bring the history of this place to life! They dress in costume and there’s always this moment when they pull back a curtain in the lobby to reveal the hall…the children’s faces just light up. It’s magical.
School Visits at Ordsall Hall👉 Schools – Ordsall Hall
The Radclyffe family, who built the house, were very influential at the time; favourites of Elizabeth I. That history is right here in Salford, in this incredible building.
What’s even better about it is it’s free for everyone to enjoy. It’s a great asset; for the community, for education and as a tourist attraction. It really is a hidden gem of Salford.
Places like this are so unique. You can’t replace them.
Halloween is always fantastic here! There’ll be loads to see and do with activities and decorations for families right the way through the October half term. Then it’ll be full steam ahead into Christmas, with lots of special events and festive magic.
What’s On at Ordsall Hall 👉 What’s On – Ordsall Hall
If you’ve never been, you 100% need to come. It’s free, it’s friendly, there’s lots to see and do, and so much history. Everyone should experience Ordsall Hall at least once.
Find Out More 👉 Home – Ordsall Hall
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