East Riddlesden Hall in West Yorkshire is one of the many historical sites which hosts events for all the family during the year.  On the day of my family's visit there was a show taking place for the children in the grounds featuring two comedy magicians.  There are no photos from the show on the site, as I had my hands rather full at the time but can assure anyone who is going to the show when they next perform that it was thoroughly enjoyable and even the smallest children were entertained. 

East Riddlesden Hall itself was built in the 1640s by the local Murgatroyd family.  The family had made their fortune through milling and weaving and the building was designed and built as a symbol of the power of the family.

Unfortunately the family's star was short-lived and the house passed into the hands of the Starkie family through intermarriages later that same century.

The Hall was extended during the 1690s but has changed very little since that time and still contains many items originating for the century it was built including furniture and embroideries.

The Hall has been a gentleman's residence and also a tenanted farm.

It came under threat of demolition in 1934 but was purchased by the Keighley brothers who presented the house to the National Trust who now have the care and running of the property.

The house is open for the public to walk around at leisure and there are helpful guides situated throughout to fill in some of the more personal details of the history of the house.

Most of the house is furnished in 17th century style and the rooms open to the public are.

The Entrance Chamber

The Hall

The Great Chamber

The Stairhead Chamber

The Red Porch Chamber - which used to be a tiny bedroom itself.

The Yellow Porch Chamber - another room which in the past was used as a bedroom.

The Buttery Chamber

The Drawing Room - which contains an inscription on the fireplace which has yet to be fully explained but may be a motto to bring blessings on the new house.

The Kitchen

The Dining Room

The Passage

And of course no house this old is complete without its own resident ghost.  East Riddlesden Hall is said to have several, the most famous being the Grey Lady.  The Grey Lady's Chamber is open to the public and takes its name from this Tudor lady who was starved to death by her husband who also walled up the lover he had caught her with.  Her footsteps are still said to be heard running up the stairs and across the landing to the Chamber.

Once you have left the house itself it is worth taking a look at the Great Barn which is also open to look into.  It is rather dark to see about but like the house it has gone through few changes since the 17th century.  It is said to be one of the finest surviving agricultural buildings of the 17th century.