New chapter ahead for historic hall as landmark property fetches £1.5m at auction
It dates back the 17th century
A Jacobean country house near Wakefield with nearly 400 years of history, has been sold at auction for £1.5million, opening the door to a range of possible new uses.
Woolley Hall, a Grade II listed Jacobean mansion dating to 1635, has been sold online for £1,510,000 through BTG Eddisons Property Auctions. The sale comes nearly a year after a previous attempt to sell the house was unsuccessful.
The estate spans 18 acres near Woolley village, with close connections to the M1 and Wakefield.
The property comprises the main house, former stables, a walled garden, two gate lodges and a private tennis court. Within the grounds, Woolley Hall offers about 33,000 square feet of accommodation, while the former stables provide an additional 15,000 square feet.
Originally built in the early 17th century, the hall’s history includes significant extensions, notably by architect Jeffry Wyatville, famed for projects including Windsor Castle and Chatsworth House.
In 1947, the local council acquired Woolley Hall, later operating it as a wedding and conference venue, and prior to that, it served as a residential college and the seat of the Wentworth family.
After considering restoration and redevelopment as a wedding venue and spa, the council ultimately opted for a sale. A previous transaction collapsed in September last year, but the auction has now concluded with a successful bid.
The buyer’s identity is not yet public, and future plans for Woolley Hall remain unannounced. However, the auctioneers note that, subject to planning and listed building consent, the substantial site and its historic features could lend themselves to various potential uses, such as a hotel, wedding and events venue, leisure or spa destination, residential conversion, or a mixed-use development.
Will Thompson, director at BTG Eddisons Property Auctions, reflected on the broad appeal of the property: “Any future plans will of course need to take account of the hall's Grade II listing and its historic significance but there’s tremendous scope for any number of imaginative new uses for this unique building and grounds.
“Needless to say, we had a great deal of interest and there has been a diverse range of ideas for new uses from prospective buyers.”