The Landmark Trust purchased the remarkable survival of a late medieval manor house in 1980 at a time when it was still divided up into eight separate inhabited cottages. Over the years part of the property became a holiday rental, but it was not until 2021 that the Landmark Trust was able to completely restore the whole building and discover its remarkable history. Caroline Stanford, the Landmark Trust Building Historian, gave a fascinating Zoom talk on the restoration and conversion to YHCT members in November 2025, so we were very pleased to be able to visit the property in February on one of the few open days.
Vicar Rob Denton, Church Warden Brenda Pickard with YHCT Friends
Our group, made up of 18 YHCT members from different parts of Yorkshire, first visited St Wilfrid’s Church Calverley where we were warmly welcomed by the Vicar, Rob Denton, the Curate Lizzie Reynolds, and Brenda Pickard the Church Warden. The Calverley family had a Chantry Chapel in the Church, but the magnificent 19th century organ now fills the space. After our tour and tea and cakes in St Wilfrid’s we walked to Calverley Old Hall where we were met by Caroline Stanford. We were all very impressed by the superb restoration of this extraordinary building, culminating in the discovery of the early 16th century painted room which had lain hidden for several centuries. From the daunting task of tackling the removal of later additions and restoring what was uncovered, the Landmark Trust has succeeded in making this medieval manor house into a beautifully furnished and decorated holiday house for 10 people and has preserved this important survival, which would have been lost without their intervention.
Friends in the early 16th Century Painted Room
Moira Fulton
March 2026