The best way to tour Oakwell Hall is to visit. Until you get here, you can enjoy virtual tours around this wonderfully authentic 16th-Century Manor House.
Use the red hotspots to access more information. If you’re viewing on a smaller screen like a mobile, you’ll find this virtual tour best in horizontal/landscape view.
The Great Parlour Chamber
This room is displayed as the master's bedchamber. Bedchambers served dual functions and were often used as day rooms or to entertain guests.
The bed dates from 1590 and was known as a tester bed. A very grand piece made of oak with marquetry headboard and elaborate carvings and probably a prized heirloom as beds like this were handed down from one generation to the next. On loan from V & A Museum. The hangings are reproductions made by Christopher Pratts of Bradford.
The indoor privy (toilet) tucked away in the Great Parlour Chamber.
A marriage chest made of elm and inscribed "Elizabeth Lovell 1640". Chests were brought into the household by a new bride and used to store linen and other domestic textiles. On loan from V&A Museum.
The Great Parlour Chamber fireplace at Oakwell Hall
Birstall Chairs: Pair of 17th-century oak armchairs probably dating from 1650 - 1700. The carved lozenge on the back suggests they were made in Yorkshire and this design is associated with a workshop group from the Bradford-Leeds-Halifax area.
The Kitchen Chamber
This was probably the servant's bedroom and main storeroom for food. It's un-panelled and open to the roof.
Half-headed bed: Known as ‘half-headed' because it does not have a canopy. Could have slept three or four servants at a time.
Meal Ark: Massive chest used for storing grain. Found in many 17th century homes and could be locked to stop servants stealing the grain. In 1611 this room had five arks. Other chests in the room were also used for food storage, including an aumbry with two carved ‘windows' for ventilation. This is 17th century and may be of German origin.
Spinning wheels, typical of spinning wheel used in this area.
The New Parlour Chamber
Displayed as a second-best chamber. May have been occupied by the nursemaid and could have been used as a guestroom. The rooms retain some early features.
The oak and marquetry tester bed has lavish carving on the headboard, tester and posts. Each post is supported by massive square plinths featuring the lozenge-shaped carving typical of Yorkshire craftsmanship. Thought to date from the early 17th century, it was the original property of the Fairfax family from Gilling Castle in North Yorkshire. There is a ram's head, horned devil and serpent decoration on the headboard.
The oak cradle is reputed to have come from Howley Hall and dates from 1650. The carving may be a late addition. Dummy boards, also sometimes called silent companions, are life-size flat wooden figures that were a popular room decoration in the 17th century.
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The Painted Chamber
Displayed as a lady's bed chamber - the mistress might use the room for entertaining or spending time here during the day. Most of the furniture in this room is reproduction and shows what oak looked like when new. The original items are the panelling and portrait.
The bed is made by Stuart Reproductions, Somerset and based on a 16th-century original. The hangings are made of cotton/linen with crewelwork embroidery in wool. Beside the bed is an earthenware chamber pot (known in the 16 and 17th centuries as a piss-pot) decorated with a liquid clay called slip.
Panelling: Oak and painted with the 3D effect seen in the Great Parlour downstairs. Five layers of emulsion have been removed from the panelling.
Chest: Made by Jacobus, North Yorkshire and based on 17th-century design.