History In The Making
This summer Browsholme Hall with its beautiful gardens, tea room and walking routes is open to the public, giving visitors a unique insight into this historic Grade I listed house
As one of the region’s most beautiful and interesting visitor attractions, Browsholme Hall has everything you could possibly wish for – historic gardens, woodland walks, a renowned local tea room, daily tours and for a staycation, luxury, woodland micro-lodges in the Woodland Glade.
Set in the heart of the Ribble Valley, Browsholme Hall is a Grade I listed historic house that was built in 1507. Fast forward through the centuries and today, the hall is undergoing a continuous programme of restoration under the guidance of Robert and Amanda Parker along with the next generation – their daughter Eleanor and son Roland.
This year the reimagining of the unusual ‘Wilderness Garden’ is ongoing with the planting of each themed segment underway. The garden, which was created in 1707 to mark the Act of the Union, was originally designed and planted in geometric quadrants representing the Union Jack.
Both exotic and indigenous plants are being used in the restoration, and in the centre of the garden, will be a sculpture by local sculptor Sarah Smith: “Sarah uses stone from Waddington Fell Quarry and she will use her skill to carve an ‘eyecatcher’ that will be a dramatic focal point,” says Amanda.
Within the garden, four large metal moon gates also form arches to support climbing roses. “They have been especially made for the garden and will form a romantic series of arches,” adds Amanda, who explains that Browsholme has adopted a ‘no mow’ ethos in parts of the grounds in order to create a habitat for wild grasses, plants and wildlife.
“We are creating pathways through a new woodland garden by the lake and planting a colourful display of rhododendrons, trees and shrubs for all seasons. Our visitors, will then have more routes to enjoy within the gardens and dogs are always welcome.”
An enthusiastic volunteer from Myerscough College has also been helping in the gardens, working with organic methods to make the enterprise as green and eco-friendly as possible.
Fourteen generations of the Parker family have lived at Browsholme since it was built and with agile and astute planning, Robert and Amanda have brought Browsholme well and truly into the 21st century.
In the long term, their son Roland will be involved in estate work at Browsholme, while their daughter Eleanor has now joined the events and administration team: “The plan is that they will both be involved in the running of Browsholme, so Robert and I can begin to take a step back,” says Amanda.
Eleanor has taken on marketing and social media responsibilities as well as helping with staff management, accommodation bookings, and Browsholme’ s hugely successful Bowbearer’s pizza enterprise, that was developed for regular pizza evenings at the Tithe Barn and as an evening food option for wedding celebrations.
Over in the Cart Shed is a tea room managed by Elizabeth Robinson. Browsholme takes sustainability very seriously and therefore sources all main ingredients from local suppliers – these form the basis of a Five Mile Menu indicating that all ingredients are sourced or bought locally. The tea room serves up delicious cakes and quiches made by Tora Thompson who with Elizabeth is part of the 14-strong permanent team that constantly works behind the scenes to make Browsholme and its grounds a successful commercial enterprise for visitors to appreciate and enjoy.
In the hall, archivist Anna Watson is training volunteers to catalogue historic documents and items: “We have found some real treasures,” explains Amanda. “We have discovered letters from the Boer War and a drawer untouched and filled with Beatrice Parker’s housekeeping documents from the 1920’s.
“There were even invoices from Byrnes and other local suppliers, shopping bills and details of Beatrice’s goats and poultry. It is a fascinating insight into social history going back 100 years.”
With support from Historic England’s Culture Recovery Fund, it is the intention that historic documents will become available to researchers worldwide: “We will be scanning some of the documents and making them available online so people will be able to gain access to them anywhere in the world.”
Many members of the team at Browsholme have been working at the hall for more than a decade including Catherine Turner, who has been there for 28 years, Adele Loi 26 years, Stephen Brown for 22 years, his brother Charles 10 years, while Rebecca Clarke has been managing weddings and events for 11 years.
“Once they come to Browsholme they don’t leave!’ says Amanda. “We are so lucky to have an extremely loyal team who all help to make Browsholme a very special place. This summer after such a torrid year, we have a special welcome for visitors who come and see us and who love the hall as much as we all do.”
Browsholme Hall and Tearoom is open Tuesday and Wednesdays with tours starting at 11.30am every hour, on the half hour. Last tour at 2.30pm. Booking essential.
See browsholme.com for further information and contact details.
Browsholme Hall
Clitheroe Road, Clitheroe BB7 3DE
01254 827160
browsholme.com
