At the heart of the Estate and the Stanley family is Knowsley Hall, Merseyside’s only stately home. It is believed that a building of sorts has been on the current Hall’s site since the 12th century, but the earliest part of today’s building dates from about 1500.
As various Earls of Derby sought to make their mark and celebrate their good fortunes through the additions and alterations to the building, the Hall today is a fascinating structure boasting a Georgian façade and some extremely fine Jacobean, Baroque and Victorian interiors.
Knowsley Hall remains one of Merseyside’s hidden treasures; having been open for a brief period after the Second World War, one half of the Hall was then rented to the Merseyside Police for about 30 years until 1997.
Since then the present Earl and Countess have made it their home and their life’s work to restore the Hall to its former glory. The first phase of restoration was completed in 1999 since when Knowsley Hall has been available for conferences, product launches, weddings and other private parties, award ceremonies, and charity balls. The Hall is open to the public for five days in the year and for a number of charity events.
For more information on the history of Knowsley and the estate click here
