More historic sites than you'd expect in Keighley

In Brief.

Keighley is a market town just to the north of Bradford that includes among its visitor attractions the Cliffe Castle Museum, the East Riddlesden Hall and a heritage railway, so it's possible to have have a rather full day here. The Cliffe Castle museum is partly visited as a Victorian mansion but also hosts a substantial and diverse museum alongside a well maintained civic park. East Riddlesden Hall, run by the National Trust, is a compact 17th century Manor House with small but pleasant gardens and a well preserved barn. I didn't make it to the railway!

The entrance to East Riddlesden Hall

What's Here?

Cliffe Castle Museum is more a museum than a castle, having been built in Victorian times as the home of a textile magnate. Several of the original rooms are preserved and filled with period furnishings, and the original grounds of the house are now a park. The museum is larger and more diverse than I was expecting; the diversity means that round each corner there may be something different, and I tend to prefer museums and galleries with a theme. However, here there may be something for everyone, from bees to stained glass, from geology to sculpture. The cafe occupies part of the restored glasshouses and provides a good range of cakes and lunch options, with a view over the park.

The glasshouses at Cliffe Castle

East Riddlesden Hall is not of the scale or grandeur of some National Trust properties (such as Lyme or Nostell Priory) but it has a pleasant main hall, a substantial kitchen and several bedrooms decorated in different period styles and with different budgets. On my weekday visit, rooms were staffed by enthusiastic guides, to help bring the place to life. The formal garden is pleasant, but can be visited in a few minutes.

Keighley is also near to various artistic destinations in Bradford, such as the Cartwright Hall Art Gallery and Salts Mill.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 47 miles

Drive Time: 1 hour 25 minutes.

Price: East Riddlesden Hall: $; Cliffe Castle Museum: donation requested.

Parking: On-site parking is included at both sites, but quite small at Cliffe Castle Museum.  

Food and Drink: There is a popular conservatory cafe at Cliffe Castle, and pleasant tea room at East Riddlesden Hall.

Retail therapy: There is a fairly minimal gift shop at Cliffe Castle Museum.

Child Friendly: There is a park with a play area adjacent to Cliffe Castle Museum.

Toilets: Yes.

Do it justice in: East Riddlesden Hall 1 hour; Cliff Castle Museum and Park: 2 hours

Inside-Outside: 70:30.


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