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Shibden Hall & Estate

Welcome to the valley of the sheep - schep dene - the home of the Lister family for over 300 years. Shibden Hall was the home of the noted 19th century diarist Anne Lister (1791 - 1840). The Hall, dating originally from circa 1420, is a distinctive half-timbered building furnished in the styles of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, adapted and extended throughout the centuries by the families who lived here.

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Information on Shibden Hall & Estate

Attraction type:
Interests
  • Cafe & Tea Rooms
  • Culture & Heritage
  • Disabled Access
  • Family
  • Galleries & Museums
  • Historic Sites & Trails
  • Parks & Gardens
  • Pet friendly
  • Wildlife & Nature

Shibden Hall is open daily from 1st March 2023.

To guarantee your visit, you can book your timed entry to Shibden Hall. On occasion, there may be opportunity to purchase tickets on arrival at the hall, but time slots may not be guaranteed.

We would recommend that all visitors use the main carpark  for Shibden Park accessed via the A58 (Halifax to Leeds road), as the small car park situated at the top of the park (off Lister’s Road) soon becomes full. There is no parking allowed on the main road. Please allow plenty of time to find parking and walk to the Hall (approx. 10 mins) to arrive during your allocated time slot. There are several routes to Shibden Hall which are well signposted at the bottom of the park.

On arrival at the Hall there may be a queue due to staff managing visitor numbers and checking tickets, please be patient as this is for the safety of all visitors, staff and volunteers.

Anne Lister is the focus of the BBC drama series ‘Gentleman Jack’ written and directed by Sally Wainwright. The series explores Anne’s life and the lives of those who lived in the Hall and Estate. Suranne Jones plays the role of Anne Lister and Shibden Hall is one of the main filming locations featured in the show.

Shibden Hall is set in a 32 hectares of park and woodland, which have won the Green Heritage Award. Explore the beautifully restored historic grounds which offer cascades, pools, tunnels, terraced and fruit gardens.

Hidden within the depths of Shibden Park is a small wooded area known as Cunnery Wood. This Local Nature Reserve is on the footprint of Anne Lister’s kitchen garden, fish pond, top up of the cascade and rabbit warren (hence the name Cunnery from Coney-rabbit). The area is rich in wildlife from stunning displays of bluebells under English oak, elm and birch to a multitude of songs from birds, healthy butterfly and moth populations and numerous small mammals throughout.

Click here to Watch a short video, ‘Shibden: 500 Years of History.’and click here to watch a second short video about ‘The Anne Lister Story’, with Helena Whitbread (you can see the video in full at Shibden hall).

You support Shibden Hall and the Museums Service by purchasing through our online shop, with a range of Shibden Hall and Anne Lister themed gifts, cards, books and merchandise

There are frequent buses every 15 minutes or better from Monday to Saturday passing Shibden Hall, between Halifax and Bradford and Halifax and Brighouse, with other regular and less frequent services throughout the week. Up to date timetables are available from West Yorkshire METRO.

Accessibility Information:

  • Due to the historic nature of the architecture of Shibden Hall there is restricted access for wheelchair users to the Ground Floor only.
  • Disabled parking is available adjacent to the Hall (accessed off Lister’s Road).
  • Please ring the bell on the right as you enter the courtyard for level access to the Hall- a member of staff will come and meet you and show you the way in.
  • The historic barn and Folk Museum are accessible to a degree, but please be aware there are uneven cobbles on the floor.
  • An accessible toilet is located to the right of the disabled parking area.
  • For access advice or assistance, please contact Shibden Hall prior to your visit; our staff will be happy to help you. Tel: 01422 352246

 

 

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