Things To Do At East Riddlesden Hall in Keighley

The 17th-century manor house, East Riddlesden Hall is charming with beautiful grounds. While it is far from the biggest National Trust site, it has a whole lot to offer. Here is a list of the top things to do at East Riddlesden Hall for your next visit.

In this guide, you will discover the best things to do at East Riddlesden Hall in Keighley to get the most out of your visit.

Things To Do At East Riddlesden Hall

East Riddlesden Hall is hardly one of the biggest National Trust sites going! But this little manor house packs a big punch!

You might be surprised to learn that there are a lot of things to do at East Riddlesden Hall. This guide will show you where to get started and give you all of the information you need to know before you go.

Where is East Riddlesden Hall?

East Riddlesden Hall is a 17th-century manor house in Keighley, West Yorkshire. It is 8.5 miles north of Bradford, or just under 20 miles northwest of Leeds.

East Riddlesden Hall History

East Riddlesden Hall doesn’t have the glamorous history you discover at many National Trust sites. It was, however, at the heart of agriculture in Riddlesden.

A manor has existed on the site since the 7th century. A medieval hall was built in the early 1300s, then in 1466 a house was constructed south of the medieval hall. The house was then later extended to double its size.

Much of the Hall that we see today was created by James Murgatroyd, a local businessman who thrived in the Halifax woollen and textile industry. He bought the house in 1638 with plans to develop it for his son John. Unfortunately, James died before the completion of the work.

The home continued to provide a dwelling for families for the next 300 years. But after being let as a series of rooms for multiple families, the house had finally fallen into disrepair and it was listed for demolition.

Two local brothers, William Brigg, the mayor of Keighley, and his twin John, couldn’t bear to see this gem destroyed. They bought the house and donated it to the National Trust so that it could be saved, restored, and enjoyed by visitors forever.

East Riddlesden Hall Opening Times

East Riddlesden Hall is open 10am-4pm in the summer and 10am-3pm in the winter. You can find the most up to date opening times here. Please note that the Hall and gardens are closed Thursday and Friday every week.

Things To Do At East Riddlesden Hall

Here are some of the top things to do at East Riddlesden Hall that you don’t want to miss on your visit.

Explore the Hall

Obviously, no visit to East Riddlesden Hall is complete without exploring the house itself. A stroll through this 400-year-old manor house helps you take a step back in time and discover the history of the building and area.

Each room contains an information board so you can learn about the purpose of the room and how it evolved over time. There are also plenty of friendly volunteers throughout the house who are more than happy to help you with any questions!

Discover the Gardens

East Riddlesden has a varied selection of beautiful gardens for you to explore. Here’s what you will find on your visit.

The Formal Gardens

The formal gardens are directly behind the Hall. They are your quintessential walled English garden that is reminiscent of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s magical creation, The Secret Garden. You’ll find a sprawling lawn surrounded by vibrant beds and gravel paths.

The formal gardens are the ideal place to take a stroll to admire the back of the Hall. You can also grab a deckchair and sit in the sun.

The Wild Garden

Wild gardens are my favourite kind of garden! East Riddlesden Hall’s wild garden is full of wildflowers that are designed to attract wildlife such as butterflies and bees. Take a seat on a bench and keep an eye out for any flying visitors that are stopping by.

The Discovery Garden

The Discovery Garden is an outdoor space dedicated to young visitors. This space to play and enjoy nature includes a famous mud pie kitchen, hobbit house and more.

The Wellbeing Garden

This small and peaceful space is a zen garden and a quiet place for reflection. You can take a seat and listen to the burbling pond and the birds in the trees.

Gardener’s Shed and Composting Area

There are no gardens without gardeners! At East Riddlesden, you can get a peek behind the scenes and see where the gardeners make magic happen. Explore the huge composting area and gardeners bothy, tucked away at the back of the gardens.

The Great Barn

At the far end of the duck pond away from the Hall, you will find the Great Barn. This impressive building is 400 years old and like any traditional timber barn, you won’t find a straight line in sight!

This teetering barn shows many signs of its former life from prints on the floor to the wear and tear on the posts when animals were tethered.

Today you will find it home to a collection of vintage cabs and buggies. It’s a fascinating stop that you don’t want to miss on your visit!

Go Bird Watching in the Bird Hide

If you’re a bird enthusiast, you will love the bird hide at East Riddlesden Hall. As you exit the gardens with the house on your right-hand side, turn left down a narrow path. The bird hide is tucked away in a quiet spot to encourage several feathered friends to pay a visit!

Find the Secret Steps

If you follow the path around the left-hand side of the toilet block and follow the path, you’ll come to the secret steps. These steps take you down to a field that is popular for ballgames and picnics.

Make sure you explore this area of the grounds as there are more things to do down here!

Navigate the Grass Maze

On this large field, you will find the grass maze. Unlike a traditional maze, you don’t have large hedges on either side. Instead, this maze is conveniently marked into the field itself by the lawnmower when the grass is cut!

Have fun following the routes and trying to navigate the maze. There might not be hedges obscuring your view but it is still easy to get lost in the winding paths!

Enjoy the Meadow Walk

In the far left-hand corner of the lower field, you will find the start of the meadow walk. The meadow walk is a short walk that initially follows the stream before meeting the River Aire. Follow the river for a short time until the route loops around the edges of a meadow and circles you back again.

Depending on your pace, this short walk will take you approximately 30-45 minutes. It is a pleasant and picturesque countryside route and is a nice way to extend your visit to East Riddlesden Hall.

Other Things to do at East Riddlesden Hall

If you’re looking for a special venue for a life event, or a quiet place for a weekend escape, here are some other things to do at East Riddlesden Hall.

East Riddlesden Hall Weddings

If you really fall in love with East Riddlesden Hall on your visit and you’re looking for a wedding venue, you’re in luck! The team hold wedding ceremonies in Airedale Barn or ‘the Wedding Barn.’

The barn sits opposite the Hall, so you have stunning views of East Riddlesden across the duck pond.

If you want more information about East Riddlesden Hall weddings, you can find it here.

East Riddlesden Hall Hotel

This section contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Find out more here.

If you’re planning a visit to East Riddlesden Hall and you want to explore more of the area on your trip, why not extend it to a weekend break?

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, here are some of the closest hotels to East Riddlesden Hall for you to consider.

Are You A National Trust Member?

This section contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Find out more here.

If you have a National Trust membership, it is free to park and enter East Riddlesden Hall. Being a National Trust member gives you free access to all the National Trust sites across the UK for a 12-month period.

If you’d like to discover if you would benefit from a National Trust membership, check out my guide, ‘Is a National Trust membership worth it?

If you want to learn more about my favourite National Trust sites, check out these posts:

• Complete Guide to National Trust in Yorkshire
• Hardcastle Crags: Picturesque Woodland Walk in West Yorkshire 
• National Trust Marsden Moor Circular Walking Route – Standedge Circuit
• National Trust Nostell: Things To Do At Nostell Priory 
• National Trust Places in West Yorkshire 
• Things To Do At Dyrham Park in Gloucestershire
• Dunham Massey Christmas Light Trail

Before You Go

So, this is the ultimate list of things to do at East Riddlesden Hall when you next visit. Would you love to explore this beautiful manor house and gardens?

If you would like to discover more fascinating places near East Riddlesden Hall, the pretty town of Bingley and its impressive Five Rise Locks is just a five-minute drive away. Or if you want to unearth local hidden gems, both Goit Stock Waterfall and St David’s Ruin are only 15 minutes away.

And if you love Yorkshire as much as I do, sign up for my weekly newsletter for even more Yorkshire adventures and tips!

Until our next adventure,

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