John Cooper bought the Hall in 1850 and leased it as a boarding school for girls.

In 1862, Joseph Harrison, a wealthy Blackburn man was the next buyer who carried out much renovation and restoration. Unfortunately, he was a lavish entertainer and spent way beyond his means. He shot and killed himself in 1878.

The house in 1870

A local J.P. lived here until 1909 when the Hall, now looking shabby from lack of care, was left to be demolished.

Fortunately, in 1924, an appeal was launched and a group of trustees formed Samlesbury Hall Trust to rescue and preserve the Hall for future generations.

You can see from this drawing that they succeeded and the Hall is now in good repair attracting 50,000 visitors each year.

The house in 1984

Samlesbury Hall has been independently owned and administrated since 1925 by a registered Charitable Trust known as The Samlesbury Hall Trust whose primary aim is to maintain and preserve the property for your enjoyment and pleasure.

The house in 1800