Woolley Hall – Wakefield

Bowman Riley played a pivotal role in unlocking new possibilities for the Grade II* listed Woolley Hall, delivering conservation architecture, building surveying, and a Matterport survey to support Wakefield Council’s efforts in marketing and disposing of their asset.

Our involvement followed a comprehensive review revealing that Woolley Hall, a striking 17th-century Jacobean country house set in 18 acres six miles from Wakefield, was significantly underused.

Once the grand seat of the Wentworth family, the estate became a college and later a wedding and conference venue after its acquisition by the Council in 1947. Operations ceased in 2015, and the Council is now seeking to sell the property as part of a wider cost-saving initiative.

The estate includes the Grade II* main house, two detached Grade II stable blocks, a boiler house, tennis courts, and extensive grounds. We engaged with planners and conservation officers to identify restrictions, carried out condition and Matterport surveys, and provided recommendations on the estate’s future potential.

In collaboration with Wakefield Council and Historic England, we produced three feasibility studies exploring new uses for the building such as residential units, a hotel, or a restaurant. The Council is now progressing toward securing the best outcome for this remarkable heritage asset.

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