History of Smithills Hall

Smithills Hall is more than 800 years old and the first written records about the hall began when William Radcliffe obtained the manor from the Hulton family in 1335.

In 1485, when the last Radcliffe to own the estate died without a male heir, Smithills Hall was passed to the Bartons.

The Bartons were a wealthy family of sheep owners and they retained the house for almost 200 years until, in 1659, the hall and estate was passed, by marriage, to the Belasyse family.

This family owned many other homes throughout England and they really had no need for Smithills Hall and it fell into disrepair.

Thankfully though in 1801 the hall and estate were sold to the Ainsworth family who were successful Bolton bleachers.

There would now be three generations of Ainsworths who would work hard to rebuild and modernise the building and its grounds. The house was inherited, in 1870, by Richard Henry Ainsworth and in around 1875 he employed the prominent Victorian architect George Devey who designed the most significant improvements to the hall.

World War One caused major problems for the family, particularly financial difficulties, and the increased costs and reduced income from the estate forced the sale of Smithills Hall.

It was sold to Bolton Council in 1938 for £70,600 and the Victorian side of the hall became a council residential home and later a day centre until the 1990s.

Conservation work on the older sections allowed part of the Grade One listed structure to be opened as a museum in 1963 and in the 1990s the museum was extended.

The Great Hall still retains its basic original shape and many medieval features, the Bower and Solar Rooms were created in the early 1400s to provide private rooms for the Radcliffe family and have a more homely feel to them and the Withdrawing Room was built by Andrew Barton between 1520 and 1540.

On the floor of the entrance to the Withdrawing Room is a mark — legend has it this is the footprint of Bolton farmer George Marsh who was a victim of persecution of Protestants during the reign of Queen Mary.

There is evidence of a chapel having been at the hall for centuries. In the 1950s human bones were discovered under the floor of the Withdrawing Room — thought, perhaps, to be part of a cemetery attached to the chapel in the medieval period.

Colonel Ainsworth’s Room was part of the early 16th century extension built by Robert Barton and was originally divided into two rooms and Mrs Ainsworth’s Room was originally part of the extension added by Robert Barton in the 16th century.

The Library was essential to the Victorian landed gentry and was stocked with volumes to show off the owner’s education and interests.

Although the west wing had been neglected for many years in 1999 it was restored by Bolton Council. Old photographs were used to recreate the rooms used by the family as they would have looked at the turn of the 20th century.

Today Smithills Hall is much loved by visitors from Bolton and beyond.

Do you have any memories of Smithills Hall you would like to share with Looking Back readers?

Perhaps you worked there or have seen many changes over the years.

If so do get in touch with Gayle McBain on 01204 537269 or email gmcbain@theboltonnews.co.uk