Samlesbury Hall, Preston, Lancashire

The first Hall was built by the D'Ewyas family and situated on the bank of the river Ribble. This was destroyed by Robert the Bruce, after the battle of Bannockburn, when the Scots ransacked and pillaged homes along the banks of the river, from Preston to Clitheroe. Gilbert de Southworth from Warrington married Alice D'Ewyas in the early 1320's; and five years later built the Great Hall, the oldest part of the building.

Thomas de Southworth, his great grandson who fought in the battle of Flodden, built the west wing of the house, the oriel bay and the screen. John Southworth, his son and a fervent Catholic worked for the cause of Mary Queen of Scots but was frequently arrested and heavily fined. The payment of these fines slowly ruined the estate and eventually Edward Southworth sold Samlesbury Hall to Thomas Braddyll on 10th March 1678.

John Copper bought the Hall in 1850 and leased it as a boarding school for girls. In 1862, Joseph Harrison, a wealthy Blackburn man was the next buyer who carried out much renovation and restoration. Unfortunately, he was a lavish entertainer and spent way beyond his means. He shot and killed himself in1878. A local J.P lived here until 1909 when the hall, now looking shabby from lack of care, was left to be demolished. Fortunately, in 1924, an appeal was launched and a group of trustees formed Samlesbury Hall Trust to rescue and preserve the Hall for future generations.

Our opening times are every day except Saturday
11.00 am to 4.30 pm.

Admission to the Hall

Adults - £3.00
Children 4 to 16 years - £1.25

Samlesbury Hall

Preston New Rd.
Samlesbury,
Prestonn
PR5 OUP
Website: Samlesbury Hall »

(Photographs ©2003-2008 Ryewolf)