East Riddlesden Hall is a Historic house with intimate gardens. Described on the website as a hidden oasis on the edge of a West Yorkshire town. A National Trust site, which is maintained for the benefit of the local community.
Read on for all the information you need to Visit East Riddlesden Hall.
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Let’s take a look at 5 great reasons you should Visit East Riddlesden Hall
With an English Heritage Membership or a National Trust membership, you can benefit from discounts across all sites
Because several of the sites are co-owned by the two organisations, we gained a lot of National Trust benefits, by only paying for an English Heritage yearly membership. We visited Tintagel and the membership paid for itself within a week’s holiday in Devon. When you sign up for a membership, you are provided with an English Heritage booklet, which contains details on the sites National Trust you can enter for free, or at a discounted rate.
Sign up for an English Heritage membership today & start your family adventure
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East Riddlesden Hall is our local National Trust Site and when we purchased an English Heritage membership, it was one of the main places we visited. We still visit to this day. And the beauty of the site is you can pick and choose how much money you spend. On certain days you can enter the gardens for free. The cafe is free to all, or you can pay to tour the house. Look out for free event days! Which are usually advertised on social media.
A Local Treasure
It’s nostalgic for me because when I lived alone, the site was near to my house. If I ever felt mentally unwell or stressed out, I would Visit East Riddlesden Hall to have a walk around the grounds. The lake, the wonderful trees and the grounds, all made me feel much better!
Free specialised events
We once visited an English Heritage site and were pleased to find out there was a performance for all members to attend. If you check out the website of your local attraction, there will be something wonderful and unique for you to attend. The kind of experiences you just wouldn’t get elsewhere. The latest event at East Riddlesden Hall is dancing in the gardens during the school holidays.
Our history is important
In the UK there is a lot of history we need to preserve. People travel from all around the world to visit our world heritage sites, such as Saltaire and Howarth. But English Heritage takes you back in time as far as you can go,
From small beginnings towards the end of the 19th century, the collection of historic places now managed by English Heritage has grown to over 400, inspired by a determination to put England’s heritage ahead of private interest.
National Trust – Our history
Free entry for up to six children
With any of the National Trust or English Heritage memberships, there is free entry for children accompanied by an adult member (under 18 years and within the family group). Please check the relevant terms of each website for the criteria.
Let’s dive into the all-important information you need if you’re planning a trip to East Riddlesden Hall
Opening times
The opening times are subject to change, due to events, weather and the fact that the hall also hosts events. The best thing to do before planning your visit is to check the opening times. Either on the website or on social media.
Here are the current opening times:
| House | 10:00 – 16:00 |
| Garden | 10:00 – 16:00 |
| Great Barn | 10:00 – 16:00 |
| Shop | 10:00 – 16:00 |
| Tearoom | 10:00 – 16:00 |
Highlights of East Riddlesden Hall
The House
When we last visited, we were given a guided tour around the house. We had to take a ticket for a specified time. And do the other bits of the site, before the tour time.
Original 17th-century features – what to look out for on your visit
Inside the house, you can still see some of the original 17th-century details introduced by Murgatroyd. Look for the 17th-century panelling, which is a theme throughout the house. As well as the decorative plaster ceilings and intricate wood carvings.
Garden
Access to the gardens is usually free, providing the site is open and there isn’t an event on.
They are beautifully maintained, even including a bug house and other little treasures for children.
Eating and shopping
When we had a membership, the thing we loved most about sites, was the gift shop and unique items you could buy.
The cafe At East Riddlesden Hall is beautiful. Serving lovely food and accessible even if you don’t pay entry to the site.
The Great Barn
The agricultural story of East Riddlesden Hall doesn’t end in the house. The Great Barn is one of the finest barns in the north of England. With huge gabled entrances and large mullioned windows.
Family fun
During the school holidays, you will find an array of great activities for the kids.
Second-hand bookshop
There is a second-hand bookshop located in the kitchen chamber. Children’s books are in the Discovery Room.
Conservation work
A team of volunteers is responsible for maintaining the house. You can read all about it here.
Maintaining such an old building isn’t an easy task. I remember once visiting an English Heritage Site where the windows were cloaked in blackout curtains and you had to carefully enter through the main door, to avoid dust & dirt damaging the site.
History of the hall
You can read more about the history of the hall here.
In 1934 the Briggs brothers donated the property to the National Trust. It was bequeathed on the understanding that it would be conserved and that the land surrounding it would be used for recreation by the local communities. Their passion for East Riddlesden Hall ultimately ensured that it would be saved for everyone, for ever.
History of the hall
Weddings
East Riddlesden Hall has a range of wedding options available. This article will help you decide on whether it would be the perfect venue for your special day.
Facilities
Accessibility
You can read more about the accessibility of the site here.
Contact details
If you’re unsure of anything prior to your visit, or you would like to make an enquiry – here are the all-important details you need:
Address
Bradford Road, Riddlesden, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20 5EL
Telephone Number
Email address
Final thoughts
Do you have an English Heritage membership? Or have you thought about signing up?
Have you visited East Riddleden Hall before? Come say hello in the comments below.
I’m actually having to do a weekend in that neck of the woods before the end of the year, so I might have to check this place out
That’s great to hear. Hope you manage to visit.