Exploring GB

Wythenshawe Hall is being restored to its former glory following a devastating arson attack in 2016.

Fortunately, the Fire Service saved the building from complete destruction and they limited the damage.

Some historic furniture installed in the building (including a four-poster bed engraved with the Tatton family crest) was not damaged by the fire.

However, the roof of the hall and an upper floor were severely damaged by the fire that started at around 3:30 am on 15 March 2016.

The clock tower was also damaged.

On 23 March, a man was charged with arson in connection with the fire.

In July 2017, after changing his plea and admitting guilt,he was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

The hall was lager added to the England Heritage at Risk Register in October 2016.

Manchester City Council are working to restore this much-loved iconic building to its former glory so that it can once again open it to the public.

The dedicated Friends of Wythenshawe Hall have stayed committed throughout the six years closure by regularly meeting and preparing for its grandiose opening.

Wythenshawe Hall, dating from 1540, was the home of the Tatton family for more than 600 years, and is now owned by Manchester City Council.

The Hall, and the surrounding 250 acres of park land, were given to the city by Lord and Lady Simon in 1926, to be enjoyed by the people of Manchester and beyond.

The Hall served as an art gallery and museum until its temporary closure in 2010.

Up until the fire, The Friends of Wythenshawe Hall had been working in partnership with us to open the Hall on a regular basis.

There have been Christmas and Easter open days and also a very popular Garden Party which joined up with the Big Lunch to host a community picnic with over 1,000 visitors on the day.

The official re-opening was celebrated in October 2022.

The Friends of Wythenshawe Hall are supporting the Council with the project of re-opening the Hall to the public.

They’re currently hosting open days and tours on a monthly basis which are announced on their website Friends of Wythenshawe Hall.

The Hall has excellent reviews on TripAdvisor, one visitor said: “We always spent most of the summer holidays having picnics and playing in wythenshawe park.

“I have lots of fond memories. The park is big eith lovely mature trees. The hall is up for repair but still stands solid in the grounds.

”Gardens are great. Wonderful place for bird watching and a good stroll around its grounds. A little oasis in wythenshawe.”

Another person added: “Wythenshawe Park is absolutely beautiful! I live within walking distance from here and it is sometimes taken for granted.

”My husband and I took our daughter for a picnic there and we really did have a fantastic day.

”We did a bit of blackberry picking and took a walk through the wooded area, unfortunately we couldn't visit the hall it's self as it is still being refurbished from the fire damage.

”I suspect it will not be open to the public for quite some time by the look of it which truly is a shame as it is beautiful inside and it's a shame that one person has ruined it for hundreds of others.”

The iconic building celebrated its official re-opening day on October 15th 2022.

It is currently hosting open days on a monthly basis.

You can find out more by following Manchester City Council on social media for the latest news and updates.

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