Restoration of Bramall Hall, Cheshire

Very little has been done to improve the hall but in recent years there was a decision to develop it, restore it to its former glory and make it more of a visitor attraction. It has been a lengthy and meticulous, costly venture and this weekend saw the opening. The park was packed all weekend and I managed to secure tickets to see inside the restored manor house. .

The restoration has been a magnificent achievement and I could find no fault in it all. The attention to detail everything from curtain fabrics and wooden furniture is nothing short of superb. The high lights for me were the kitchens and the remarkable preservation of some old wall paintings which were uncovered. These date back to circa 1530.

My latest Cheshire day out was yesterday.

The events over the weekend were largely linked into medieval activities. There was archery, a Tudor medic, a jester, shield making, a tanner and so much more. These were placed in medieval style tents around the grounds. Marvelously thought out.

Photos of the tents, camps and re-enactors appear below. The musicians were playing Tudor music and were dressed in Tudor costumes.

The Chapel was already available to visitors before the restoration of the hall but on the wall in the photo above is a very old script and handwriting style which was not seen before. It is thought to be the only place in England with this script on the wall.

How beautiful is that!

Below is a very old pew and the carving on the wood must have taken ages. Just think no fancy tools then, just pure craftsmanship.

The carved cot above was dated on it 1663. Beautiful. Many of the beds were "tester" beds, i.e. they had a top on them.

This was my favourite thing. They have restored so much, leaded windows and also these wall paintings were uncovered. They are stunning and nearly 500 years old. The colours are beautiful.

The kitchens were HUGE with old Victorian ovens and lots of old kitchen equipment. My kitchen would fit into this one about 7 times. There was a separate cold food store, butler's pantry and laundry.

Seeing the old laundry equipment was so interesting because it is so far removed from what we use now. The other kitchen equipment would be recognisable now e.g. the pestle and mortar, but the laundry equipment with its washboards, possers, dolly tubs and sticks is totally unlike what I would be using at home.

Imagine doing the laundry for a house this size with that equipment.

These were the bells which summoned the servants from downstairs to the relevant rooms upstairs. These would have been a 18th / 19th C  addition.

The furniture has been restored and chosen to fit in with each room. I especially liked the globe and there were several chests around the house like that above.

The billiard table and scoring board would have been later additions to the house not Tudor.

I loved this. Part of the original door has been stripped back so we could see the original withy frame and plaster. Where else would we see this, have a chance to experience this?

This is a remarkable restoration and it is faultless in its attention to historical detail. I am not easily pleased when it comes to accuracy and usually find historical faults. But I can find NONE!

There are several events planned now and the hall is being used as a centre of the community again.

Special sessions are planned for August, Sept and Oct 2016 for families with Autism so they can access the hall. There are baby sensory sessions, art, magic, family sessions, a flower festival, Victorian cooking and more all taking place before the end of October. There is a website

www.stockport.gov.uk/bramallhall

If you are in England or visiting England, it would be worth making a detour to see this place.

Bramall Hall, Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire.

Do please visit. You won't be disappointed.