A historic Wakefield country house which has previously been earmarked for restoration is to go under the hammer with a £1.3m guide price.
Woolley Hall, a Grade II* listed Jacobean house dating from 1635, now owned by Wakefield Council, will feature in the online auction being held by BTG Eddisons Property Auctions on 24-25 August, almost a year after a previous attempt to sell the property fell through.
The 18-acre site, near the village of Woolley and close to the M1 and Wakefield, includes the main house, former stable buildings, a walled garden, private tennis court and two gate lodges.
The hall has around 33,000 sq ft of space, with a further 15,000 sq ft in the former stables.
The local authority took ownership of Woolley Hall in 1947 and used it as a conference and wedding venue. It had previously been a residential college and, before that, was the home of the Wentworth family.
The council had considered restoring the building and developing it as a wedding venue and spa before deciding to sell it, however a sale of the site fell through in September last year.
Now, the landmark property’s next chapter could take a number of new directions. Subject to planning and listed building consent, auctioneers say the size of the site and its mix of historic buildings and grounds could make it suitable for uses including a hotel or wedding and events venue, a leisure or spa destination, residential conversion or a mixed-use development.
Will Thompson, director at BTG Eddisons Property Auctions, said: “Any future plans will of course need to take account of the hall’s Grade II* listing and its historic significance but there’s tremendous scope for any number of imaginative new uses for this unique building and grounds.
“Needless to say, we have had a great deal of interest and there has been a diverse range of ideas for new uses from prospective buyers. The decision to sell via a national public auction ensures a transparent, competitive process, giving all interested parties the chance to bid and allowing the market to determine the outcome. It will be exciting to see what unfolds on the day of the auction.”
Woolley Hall was built in the early 17th century and was later extended, including with work by renowned architect Jeffry Wyatville, who also worked on extensions to Windsor Castle and Chatsworth House, around the turn of the 19th century.
“The property is going to auction at a time when Wakefield is building a fantastic reputation for itself as a destination for the cultural and the creative industries,” added Will Thompson. “The district is home to the major creative and live entertainment facility Production Park, as well, of course, as the world-renowned Hepworth Wakefield and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
“The city really is on the map these days as a visitor destination, which makes Woolley Hall an even more attractive prospect for investment and development.”
For more details on Wooley Hall, along with bidding information and other lots in the upcoming auction, visit the BTG Eddisons Property Auctions website.
BTG Eddisons Property Auctions is a national property auction business formed through the unification of the regional auction brands Pugh, SDL Property Auctions, Mark Jenkinson and Network Auctions. It offers a wide range of residential and commercial property and land at auction to buyers across the UK.
