Gawthorpe Hall was a 13th century manor house and home to thirteen generations of the Gascoigne family. Occupied for over 400 years between the 1260s and 1770s, research suggests that this medieval manor was a substantial building.

The structure comprised of a central hall flanked by two adjoining wings creating a “U” shaped building with a central courtyard. It is thought to have been more than 60 metres in width with elaborate, formal gardens.

A brief history of Gawthorpe Hall

In 1576, Margaret Gascoigne married the politically influential Thomas Wentworth and, for the first time in centuries, Gawthorpe’s ownership moved to a new family.

Thomas’ grandson, also named Thomas Wentworth, inherited the estate in 1614.

He made considerable alterations to Gawthorpe. Most notably, he built additional function rooms to accommodate a “Dyneing Palour” and “Great Chamber”.

After becoming the 1st Earl of Strafford in 1640, his fortunes changed and in 1641 he was executed for treason by Charles I.

Heavily in debt, his son was forced to sell Harewood Castle, Gawthorpe Hall and the neighbouring land.

Creating Harewood Estate

In 1738 Henry Lascelles returned from the West Indies where he made a significant fortune from the brutal transatlantic sugar and slave trades. Henry owned sugar plantations and distribution warehouses, as well as slave ships.

His son, Edwin, would later own 26 West Indian plantations and with them over 3,000 enslaved individuals. Together, Henry and Edwin purchased Gawthorpe and the neighbouring land, creating the Harewood Estate.

After Henry’s death, Edwin Lascelles, the 1st Lord Harewood, commissioned the construction of Harewood House.

Upon its completion in 1771, Gawthorpe Hall was demolished along with everything it contained.

What you can see today is a small part of an excavation project undertaken by the University of York in 2009.