Shibden Hall

03/09/2026

🪡 The Codification of Stitch by Charlotte Farrant is now open at Shibden Hall.

📆 On display Thursday 3 to Sunday 27 September 2026

Inspired by Anne Lister's life, Charlotte Farrant highlights significant achievements in Anne’s life in both illustrative and coded form and reimagines her iconic silhouette into a 21st-century interpretation.

Taking the form of an exquisitely embroidered coat and boots, this is a not to be missed opportunity to see Charlotte Farrant’s acclaimed work displayed in the place which inspired it, Shibden Hall.

On display for a limited time and included with ticketed admission.

🎟 Tickets are available to pre book online at https://www.ticketsource.com/calderdale-museums and will also be available to purchase on entry to the Hall.

🔗 Charlotte Farrant is a hand embroidery artist trained at the Royal School of Needlework. You can read more about her work and the Codification of Stitch project at https://museums.calderdale.gov.uk/event-details/the-codification-of-stitch-by-charlotte-farrant-2026-09-03-10-00

📷 Image credit: Charlotte Farrant

28/08/2026

🎩 Step back into Gentleman Jack at Shibden Hall

This new display of costumes from the hit TV series includes two new costumes recently acquired by Calderdale Museums.

See pieces as worn by the show’s stars including Suranne Jones and Sophie Rundle as Anne Lister and Ann Walker and by Gemma Whelan and Gemma Jones as Marian Lister and Aunt Anne Lister.

Learn more about the design process and how Tom Pye and his team constructed these pieces for screen, combining story telling with the historical fashions of the period and modern making techniques.

📆 On display until Monday 5 October, included with regular admission tickets.

🎟 Tickets are available to pre book online via the link in our bio and will also be available to purchase on entry to the Hall.

📷 Photos by Anna Gruyters

26/08/2026

🐾 Happy International Dog Day! Last year, we shared Henry Sykes’ (1855-1921) 1877 painting of Shibden Hall’s Housebody which depicts a furry companion warming themselves by the fireplace. Did you know we also have an alternate version of the painting in our collection?

The compositions are very similar, both showcasing the Housebody interior with its historical furniture and hanging portraits (several of which remain on display today) as well as the staircase designed by the architect John Harper for Anne Lister.

However, there are some slight tweaks between this piece and the final work. The female figure is moved from standing at the table to descending the stairs, and the dog by the fireplace goes from dozing in front of the fire to sitting up and looking at the viewer. The colours used in the second painting are more vibrant and varied, and the overall details of the room are less sharp.

Are there any other alterations we have missed? Why do you think Sykes might have made these changes?

🖼️ Shibden Hall, Housebody by Henry Sykes, watercolour on paper. Calderdale Museums collection.
🖼️ Shibden Hall, Housebody by Henry Sykes, oil on canvas. On display in the dining room at Shibden Hall.

25/08/2026

Experience 15th century life at Shibden Hall with Sir John Savile's Household

🗓️ Saturday 10 October, 11am to 4pm

Sir John Savile's Household are a Yorkist reenactment group who portray a medieval household during the Wars of the Roses, and we are delighted they will be joining us for what promises to be a brilliant living history event.

In this immersive day the Household will be demonstrating crafts, military, and everyday life from the second half of 15th century England.

Visitors can discover medieval skills such as food preparation, spinning, dyeing, embroidery, fletching, wood carving, calligraphy, combat and archery.

This lively and engaging event is family-friendly and is included with regular admission tickets on the day.

🎟️ You may wish to book your tickets online in advance as we expect this event to be popular.
https://www.ticketsource.com/calderdale-museums/sir-john-saviles-household-at-shibden-hall/e-ovmxzj

📷 Photographs by Sir John Savile’s Household

22/08/2026

Celebrate Heritage Open Days with a weekend of FREE entry to Shibden Hall!

📆 Join us Saturday 12 or Sunday 13 September

🎟 Tickets are limited so booking is essential via https://www.ticketsource.com/calderdale-museums/heritage-open-day/e-ovmylk

21/08/2026

19/08/2026

☀️ Don't forget kids go free at Shibden Hall this August! Enjoy a brilliant family day out as one child goes free with every adult ticket purchased until 31 August.

🎟 Pre-book your visit via ticketsource.com/calderdale-museums and select the ‘Summer Offer’ ticket at checkout to redeem. Tickets will also be available to purchase on entry to Shibden Hall on the day.

🔍 Children can try our new trail: Art Heist at the Hall
A priceless painting has been stolen from Shibden and we need help to solve the mystery!
📆 Runs until Monday 31 August and included with ticketed entry.

🎩 Step back into Gentleman Jack
Enjoy a new display of costumes from the hit TV series, including two new costumes recently acquired by Calderdale Museums.
📆 On display until Monday 5 October and included with ticketed entry.

💚 There's something for everyone to enjoy with over 600 years of history to discover at Shibden Hall and Folk Museum. We look forward to welcoming you soon!

12/08/2026

💚 Greetings from 'Beautiful Shibden Park'! 💚

For those visiting Shibden Hall Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 August, please be aware that the Hall and all car parks at Shibden Park will close early due to Stage at the Lake festival.

Last entry to Shibden Hall will be 2pm, and the Hall will close at 4pm.

All car parks will close at 3pm.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but look forward to welcoming visitors over these dates. Entry to the Hall can be pre-booked as usual via https://www.ticketsource.com/calderdale-museums.

If you would like more information, or have any questions regarding Stage at the Lake, please contact their team at [email protected] and see their website https://www.stageatthelake.co.uk/.

11/08/2026

Dated this day in 1806, Anne Lister's first known diary page begins with 'Eliza left us'.

These early entries were written on loose sheets of paper, but by 1817 her diary writing had evolved into an essential practice of recording her life in specifically bound notebooks.

In all, her diaries span over 5 million words in 26 volumes and are now held at the West Yorkshire Archive Service.

📷 Section of Anne’s first diary entry dated 11 Aug 1806. Image from WYAS, archive reference SH:7/ML/E/26/1. Image courtesy of West Yorkshire Archive Service

10/08/2026

For many visitors to Shibden Hall, the Lister Lion will be a familiar feline face!

Commissioned by Anne Lister, these sculptures depict him sat up on his haunches and holding the Lister coat of arms with its three five-pointed stars on an ermine background.

In heraldry, lions symbolise qualities such as courage, strength and valour and when 'sejant ' or seated can signify sovereignty. If you were to pick an animal to represent your family, what would you choose? 🦁