Around Royds Hall, Low Moor

Our walk in Low Moor took us through Judy Woods and past the ancient Royds Hall Manor, once the residence of the Lords of the Manor of North Bierley and Wibsey. It is, I gather, a large and beautiful old house, well concealed from prying eyes (and my camera) by walls and trees. Part of the Hall dates back as far as 1458, with additions in the 1600s and 1700s. It used to belong to successive chairmen of the Low Moor Iron Works and was later bought by the millionaire businessman Sir Ernest Hall, who carried out a complete renovation of the property. There are some amazing photos HERE. (Scroll right down the page). Sir Ernest Hall was in partnership at one time with Jonathan Silver, the entrepreneur who rescued Salts Mill. Together they bought Dean Clough Mills in Halifax, a former carpet factory, and proceeded to transform and revitalise that complex. 

Around the main manor house there are a number of other cottages and barns associated with the hall and its farm. The small cottage pictured here looked old and quite charming too, with a wonderfully wonky door.