The
Unofficial Website
Cusworth Hall
The Museum of South Yorkshire Life
Cusworth Hall has reopened 9 March 2007 after a multi-million pound refit. Entry to the Museum is free but there is a charge for the Country Park car park.
This Grade I listed 18th Century country house belonged to the Wrightson and Battie-Wrightson families. It was built in 1740 for William Wrightson by George Platt. It was altered and extended between 1749 and 1753 by James Paine. It was purchased by Doncaster Council in 1961 and has been used as the Museum of South Yorkshire Life. The house had been very dilapidated in part but with the help of a £5million Heritage Lottery Grant it has been magnificently restored. You can now see the servants quarters, kitchen, bakehouse, still room and laundry and get the feel of life 'below stairs'.
As far as I could tell none of the original furniture remains - it was presumably sold at auction but the house is home to an eclectic collection of artefacts. The displays illustrate the changing home, work and social life in South Yorkshire over the last 250 years. Oh boy does it make you glad to come home to the many comforts of modern living: hot and cold running water, central heating, washing machines, fridges, vacuum cleaners. The list is endless.
Shop and tea rooms (open every day from 10am – 4pm). There is disabled access to the House (lift to the upper floor) and disabled toilet. There is a programme of events and activities; please contact the Hall for details.
The house is set in parkland on the outskirts of Cusworth village and from what I remember the lake is very popular with fishermen. Grounds open dawn to dusk throughout the year. There are very pleasant walks around the gardens (quite steep paths), the lake and the country park. Part of the restoration money has been spent on replanting shrubs and trees in the park, and the restoration of the lakes, cascade and boathouse.
Open Mon - Fri 10.30am – 5pm, Sat & Sun 1 – 4pm.