Shibden Hall is reopening to visitors from Saturday 2 March 2019, marking the start of an exciting new season that will see the museum and Halifax become familiar sights on TV screens around the world.
The historic building will play a starring role in the brand new BBC and HBO drama, Gentleman Jack, which is expected to air this spring. Written by Sally Wainwright, the eagerly-awaited series will explore the life of Anne Lister (played by Suranne Jones) and those who lived at Shibden Hall.
Whilst the doors have been closed to visitors, the museum has been a hive of activity. It’s been a privilege to host TV crews and cast for several months, and since the cameras stopped rolling, museum staff have been busy preparing the Hall in readiness for the public returning next month. Visitors will see a refreshed look to the displays.
Cllr Susan Press, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhood Services, said:
“It has been a real honour to support the filming for what’s sure to be another fantastic Calderdale-based series. We can’t wait to see the beautiful, Grade II* listed Shibden Hall and our other distinctive places on screen. From next month, visitors will have the chance to see the museum before Gentleman Jack airs, and they can keep coming back as the series progresses, with our great-value annual pass.”
There are lots of reasons to visit Shibden Hall, with some especially exciting new things to see later this year – watch this space! With an annual pass you can return as many times as you like within 12 months. An adult annual pass is just £9; a concession annual pass costs £7.50 and a family ticket annual pass is £25.
Gentleman Jack will help to put Calderdale on the map and is expected to lead to a significant increase in visitors to Shibden Hall and other surrounding areas and attractions. It will also build on Calderdale’s growing popularity as a filming destination.
Why not learn more about Anne Lister before the series hits our screens? The Council’s Museums Service has written a new guide book exploring her story, her family and her impact on Shibden Hall. Buy your copy from Shibden Hall, Bankfield Museum or on Amazon.
Visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/museums to find out more about Shibden Hall and Calderdale’s other museums.
Calderdale Museums’ large collection of artwork includes oil paintings of Anne Lister and her relatives. Hundreds of images of the oil paintings, including those featuring the Lister family, are available at www.bridgemanimages.com/en-GB/(external link) to select, buy and print for your own home.
Anne Lister and her legacy are distinctive features of Calderdale. Distinctiveness is one of the key themes of the Vision2024 for Calderdale, and Gentleman Jack is a great opportunity to build on this and encourage people to explore more of what Calderdale has to offer.
Where do we want to be by 2024? How will the Calderdale of 2024 be different from the place it is now? What ambitions do we share? Join the conversation by following #VisionCdale2024 on social media and visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/council/vision-2024