New Research and Recording report on Woolley Hall

Wednesday, 8th July 2026
Figure 16. Woolley Park from the south approach by Agostino Aglio, published in 1821 (WYAS WYW 1884/5). Reproduced with permission of West Yorkshire Archive Service, Wakefield.

The purchase of the Woolley by Michael Wentworth in 1599 marked the start of a 350-year period during which the estate would be held by the Wentworth family. 

The present-day Woolley Hall was built c. 1635 but the landscape that is seen today was largely developed over the period 1795-1825 by Godfrey Wentworth Armytage [later Wentworth] II who consulted leading landscape designers and architects of the time.

A picturesque woodland garden was developed with an ornamental stream and cascades, whilst walks extended towards a boating lake developed from Woolley Dam. Later the west garden was remodelled with the construction of Italianate terraces, a sunken garden and geometrically arranged flower beds.

To read the full report, see Woolley Hall