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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 30/08/2026

Humphrey Chetham died at Clayton Hall in 1653, but his funeral was anything but modest. A grand procession of 40 blue-coated boys, poor men and local gentry made its way to Manchester Cathedral. His legacy lives on through education and Chetham's Library.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 30/08/2026

Happy Pride, Manchester! This weekend Pride is back in the heart of the Gay Village – and back in community hands. However you’re celebrating, look after yourselves, look after one another and stay safe. Happy Pride from everyone at Clayton Hall! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 22/08/2026

One of the country's first municipal parks, Philips Park, turns 180 today! In our latest article, Clayton Hall volunteer Graham Travis takes us through the park’s remarkable history, illustrated with old photographs and new ones by Gill Bennett. Read more here: claytonhall.org/philips-park/

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Reposted by Clayton Hall Living History Museum

Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Blue plaque unveiled to mark 1964 gig at a Manchester railway station by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the 'godmother of rock and roll'. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Godmother of rock and roll's Manchester station gig honoured

The blues guitarist and vocalist Sister Rosetta Tharpe performed at an empty station for TV.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 19/08/2026

Did you know Humphrey Chetham’s nephew, George Traves, lived with him at Clayton Hall in his later years? A trusted member of the household, George was also named as one of the overseers of Humphrey’s will.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 18/08/2026

We were pleased to welcome the Let’s Go group from Salford u3a at Clayton Hall during their group visit, and we received some lovely feedback. We hope to see you all again very soon. 🔍Our next free open day to the public is on Saturday 5th September. Plan your visit: claytonhall.org

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 17/08/2026

Thank you to Andrew Brunton for posting these wonderful photos on Google Review from your visit to Clayton Hall on Saturday. We hope you all had a wonderful time and hope to see you again very soon! 🔍Our next free open day is Saturday 5th September. Plan your visit: claytonhall.org

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 14/08/2026

Thank you, Stephen, for your lovely review about your recent visit to Clayton Hall. It means the world to our volunteers who help make every open day special. Our next free open day is tomorrow, Saturday 15th August. Doors open at 11am. Plan your visit: claytonhall.org

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 14/08/2026

What's in your manbag? In 1991, Esther Rantzen asked the men of Manchester what they kept in theirs on the BBC show That's Life. www.bbc.co.uk/videos/cdj0e...

bbc.co.uk

1991: Manbags in Manchester

Richard Creme took to the streets of Manchester to find out what men keep in their manbags

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 08/08/2026

One of Manchester United’s first great captains was made in Clayton. ⚽ Charlie Roberts led United to their first League title and FA Cup, helped found the players’ union, later ran a local tobacco business, and is buried at St Cross. 🔍Read more here: claytonhall.org/charlieroberts/

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 08/08/2026

Clayton Hall is open to the public, free of charge, on Saturday 15th August. Doors open 11am, last entry 3pm. Hands-on stuff in every room, winding staircases and costumed Victorians make Clayton Hall a fun place to explore. 🔍Visit claytonhall.org

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 07/08/2026

Did you know Clayton once had its own major car manufacturer? Belsize Motors built cars at its Clayton Lane works, employing more than 1,000 people at its height, including women munitions workers during WWI. Read the story: claytonhall.org/belsize/

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 05/08/2026

From infants and juniors to the Boys’ High School, Ravensbury Street School shaped generations of Clayton children. Explore class photos, football teams, school trips, tree planting and the story of 'Between Ourselves'. Read more here: claytonhall.org/ravensbury-street/

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 04/08/2026

High Sheriff of Lancashire, possible inspiration for Shakespeare’s Berowne, and owner of one magnificent beard. Meet Sir John Byron: “Little Sir John with the Great Beard”. He lived at Clayton Hall in the mid-1500s, before inheriting Newstead Abbey in 1567.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 01/08/2026

All dressed up and ready for afternoon tea in Clayton Hall’s drawing room! ☕🎩 Thank you for visiting us and for allowing us to share these fabulous photographs from your visit. We hope you had a wonderful time! 🔍Visit claytonhall.org

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 01/08/2026

A huge thank you to Graham for donating his hand-painted figure of Sir Thomas Fairfax. Fairfax and his troops visited Clayton Hall en route to Nantwich in January 1644. It joins Graham’s earlier figure of Oliver Cromwell.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 01/08/2026

Thanks also to the gentleman who brought these wonderful 1930s photos from his album. He lived on Park Road, later Clayton Hall Road. Photos showng the Hall's rear and moat, park and distant St Cross Church was taken from his bedroom window! 2/2

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 01/08/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who visited Clayton Hall today! Our next free open day is Saturday 15th August. We hope to see you then. 1/2

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 01/08/2026

"This quiche is gorgeous. It's better than Mark's & Spencer's, and that's saying summat." — Another satisfied visitor enjoying our Pauline's homemade quiche. Our museum and tea room is open til 3pm today, why not pay us a visit? 🔍Visit claytonhall.org

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 31/07/2026

Philips Park celebrates its 180th anniversary this year! In our latest article, Clayton Hall volunteers Graham Travis and Gill Bennett take us through the park’s remarkable history, illustrated with photographs old and new. Read more here: claytonhall.org/philips-park/

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 30/07/2026

Get ready to step back in time this Saturday, 1st August. Hands-on stuff in every room, winding staircases and costumed Victorians make Clayton Hall a fun place to explore. Doors open at 11am (last entry 3pm). 🔍Plan your visit: claytonhall.org/visit/

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 30/07/2026

This wonderful 1937 photograph shows Clayton Old Hall Old Men’s Association before its 8th annual outing to Morecambe. The group may have formed around 1929 and perhaps met at Clayton Hall. Its oldest member, Mr W. Howarth, was 82.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 30/07/2026

Groups of all interests and sizes are welcome at the Hall. Find out more here: claytonhall.org/group-and-school-visits/

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 30/07/2026

Thank you to Out in the City for visiting Clayton Hall today! We loved welcoming you and hope everyone had a wonderful time. Take a look at their fabulous photos from the visit: outinthecity.org/portfolio/clayton-hall-29-7-26/

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 28/07/2026

Nearer Ashton New Road, North Road became denser, with terraces, shops and public buildings. The final views show Clayton Library at Clayton Street and the Garner Street corner in 1963. What memories do you have of North Road?

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 28/07/2026

Around St Willibrord’s and Vale Street, North Road’s sporting past comes into view. The church was built on part of a former cricket ground, while another image shows Clayton Labour All Champions Cricket Club in 1935.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 28/07/2026

Further along, the street becomes more built up. The photographs show Edwardian houses, the long view down North Road and the former sports pavilion. It later became a Council Direct Works Depot and is now used as a boxing gym.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 28/07/2026

Moving towards Seymour Road South, the villas continue. North Road was built up gradually, with large houses first and later homes filling the gaps. One view shows how open the road still was in 1907, with fields stretching along one side.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 28/07/2026

A journey through time: North Road, from Edge Lane to Ashton New Road. These first views show its semi-rural upper end around 1890: villas standing among fields and gardens, including Ashley Villa at the Edge Lane junction, which still survives.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 27/07/2026

Clayton Hall’s medieval story is closely tied to the Byron family. Pictured is Sir John Byron, “Little Sir John with the Great Beard”, who lived at Clayton before inheriting Newstead Abbey. Long before literary fame, the Byron name had deep local roots.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 27/07/2026

Len also helped lead the Let Robeson Sing Campaign in support of Paul Robeson. He died in 1974 and is remembered as more than a boxer: a proud Clayton lad, a great fighter and Manchester’s uncrowned champion. 📷 Manchester City Council Local Image Archives. 5/5

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 27/07/2026

Len co-founded the New International Club in Moss Side, where Black and white Mancunians met, organised and campaigned together. The club challenged discrimination at work, opposed colonialism and supported racial equality. 4/5

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 27/07/2026

After retiring in 1933, Len continued fighting injustice outside the ring. He served in Civil Defence during the Second World War, joined the Communist Party and attended the historic Fifth Pan-African Congress in Manchester in 1945. 3/5

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 27/07/2026

Despite his ability, Len was denied the chance to fight for the British middleweight title. Boxing’s racist colour bar barred anyone without two white parents from competing for British championships. Manchester protested, but the rule remained. 2/5

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 27/07/2026

Born in Clayton in 1902, Leonard “Len” Johnson became one of Britain’s finest boxers. Over an eleven-year professional career, he fought 127 contests and won 92, defeating some of the leading fighters of his generation. 1/5

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 26/07/2026

The “Nunnery” once dominated the skyline above Clayton Vale. Formerly Culcheth Hall, it became St Mary’s Home for the Aged, run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. It closed in the early 1970s and was later demolished. Keeley Close now occupies most of the site.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 25/07/2026

Q: Why are there two Eastern By Passes, one in Clayton and one in Openshaw? A: They were meant to be one road. Using archive photos from Manchester Libraries, maps and plans, we’ve traced its route through East Manchester. Read the story here: claytonhall.org/eastern-by-p...

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 24/07/2026

Do you know where the brewery stood or have any Robinson’s memorabilia? Get in touch: info@claytonhall.org

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 24/07/2026

A fascinating survival from Clayton’s industrial past: an advertising blotter for Wm. Robinson & Co. of Clayton Ltd, makers of “Pure Malt Vinegar” used for fish and chips, pickling, preserving and cooking.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 24/07/2026

📸 Fairfax, drawn by Dennis Barrett, alongside the 1647 agreement to raise funds for Parliament’s unpaid army.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 24/07/2026

Clayton Hall’s Civil War story links it to the great upheavals of the 17th century. Humphrey Chetham helped finance Parliament’s cause, and Sir Thomas Fairfax stayed here with his troops. Cromwell is also said to have visited, though no evidence has yet been found.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 24/07/2026

After the Second World War, prefabs offered thousands of families a quick, modern answer to Britain’s housing crisis. These 1963 photographs show examples on Combe Avenue and Pioneer Street, Clayton, long since demolished, but fondly remembered by many who called them home.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 24/07/2026

The hospital had disappeared by around the 1950s leaving little obvious trace beside the River Medlock. Clayton House, across the river, was used by the hospital’s nurses. Do you remember stories of Clayton Smallpox Hospital, or have any photos? We’d love to hear from you. 3/3

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 24/07/2026

During the 1894 outbreak, extra wards and facilities were prepared for acute cases. The hospital remained in use for decades. In 1946, a soldier returning from Rangoon was taken there with smallpox. More than 700 contacts were traced and vaccinated, preventing further spread. 2/3

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 24/07/2026

Today, Clayton Vale is known for its woodland and wildlife, but it once contained an isolation hospital used to protect Manchester from infectious disease. By the 1890s, Clayton Vale Hospital was treating smallpox patients, safely separated from the city’s crowded streets. 1/3

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 23/07/2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful review! Clayton Hall is entirely volunteer-run, so being described as a “hidden gem” means the world to us. Enjoy your visit? Leave us a review and help us hold on to our #1 spot of things to do in Manchester: tinyurl.com/ClaytonHallTripAdvisor

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 23/07/2026

We’re incredibly proud to have been ranked #6 in TransPennine Express’s Top 10 Hidden Gems across the North of England and Scotland! A wonderful recognition of Clayton Hall, its remarkable history and the dedicated volunteers who bring it to life. 👇

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 23/07/2026

5/5 A century later, this photograph captures the very beginning of that story when Clayton's council estate stood almost alone in the fields, waiting for the community around it to grow.

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Clayton Hall Living History Museum @claytonhall.org · 23/07/2026

4/5 Clayton became one example of this new vision for housing. Although surrounded by open land in 1925, the estate would soon gain shops, pubs, schools and everything needed to keep the community thriving.

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