Heritage Open Day: Hopwood Hall

Date published: 10 September 2017

Members of the public were given the rare chance to glimpse inside the historic 12th century Hopwood Hall manor home for the first time in over 30 years on the Heritage Open Day on Saturday (9 September).

The Grade-II* listed two-storey building is set to be restored by actor, director and producer Hopwood DePree, a direct descendent of the Hopwood family whose ancestral home was Hopwood Hall from when it was built until the 1920s.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/87589/12th-century-hopwood-hall-to-be-restored

The old hall dates from feudal days, still retains many structural and architectural features from the 14th century right until present day. The original hall was of early timber construction; it was rebuilt in Tudor brick by John Hopwood during 1687-90.

The aim is to restore the hall and grounds to their former glory, including the re-establishment of the original entrance route so the estate can be accessed without passing through the college campus.

The privileged 100 members of the public were given guided tours throughout the day of the guard room, and the family and guest parlour, plus a magnificent central courtyard.

“We thought only about 40 people would be interested, but we ended up with about 500 people on the waiting list,” Mr Hopwood told the guided tour groups.

He added: “The family parlour is one of the most intimate areas to be allowed in. We want the community to be a part of the restoration and process.”

Middletonian Bob Wall, who has looked after the ancestral home for around 15 years as its custodian, thanked Rochdale Borough Council enough for their involvement in the project, he said: “The Council has been absolutely amazing working with us. We credit them with how quickly we have been able to move forward. It has all been very progressive in moving forward. We wouldd also like to say thanks to the college and the volunteers.”

Some famous names who visited Hopwood Hall include Guy Fawkes, who visited Edmund Hopwood, a witch hunter, when he was in Manchester planning the Gunpowder Plot, and Lord Bryon, who stayed at the Hall in 1811. An ornate fireplace is nicknamed the ‘Byron Fireplace’, part of which is thought to have been gifted by the noble and installed by renowned Middleton architect, Edgar Wood. A second fireplace bears the Hopwood family crest, and the inscription, ‘By Degrees’, the family motto.

In addition, intricate wood carvings hundreds of years old can be found covering the walls inside the hall. Painstakingly intricate in their detailing, they sit amongst stone fireplaces and even a nightclub, which was installed for the leisure of the male-only college students.

“Some of these carvings are older than America,” Mr Wall smiles.

Ravaged by time, and on English Heritage’s ‘at risk’ list, the building has fallen into disrepair, yet Bob religiously saves every single piece of plaster that crumbles from the walls, in the hope that they can be restored, or at least inspire a replica.

He explained: “We are losing very important parts of the building daily, so it is urgent we move forward quickly. We are also looking for help and volunteers and any stories people might have of the Hall.”

Hopwood DePree at Hopwood Hall

Hopwood DePree and Bob Wall at Hopwood Hall

Paintings including one by Patrick Burke of Hopwood Hall

Visitors to Hopwood Hall on Heritage Open Day

The first evidence of the Hopwood family dates to 1100 during the reign of William Rufus, with the earliest written records of the family dating to 1277. Dr Robert Hopwood, the last of the original Hopwoods, died in 1762.

Following the death of Mary Hopwood, Robert’s widow’s, Edward Gregge took over the hall in 1773, assuming the name Hopwood by an act of Parliament.

In 1942, Colonel Edward Hopwood, ‘the finest shot in Europe’ died at the age of 97 after allowing the hall to fall into disrepair. Both his sons were killed in the First World War; in memoriam, he planted the Verdun oak tree at St Leonard's Church in Middleton, which still stands today. His daughters married and moved away.

Hopwood Hall was then taken over by the Lancashire Cotton Corporation before the manor house was acquired in 1947 by the De La Salle brothers for their teacher training college.

In 1953, Our Lady’s Hall of residence was built to accommodate 80 students (now the Ashworth building). This was followed two years later by the Cardinal Griffin Hall of residence and new gymnasium (now the Littleborough building).

During the 1960s, new living, teaching and administrative quarters were built for 600 students, and the Hall became a centre for students.

Hopwood Hall College, which sits nearby on part of the original grounds of the stately home from which it takes its name, opened in 1990, offering A-levels and vocational courses.