A cool 1.8 million has been awarded to 84 Plymouth Grove aka The Gaskell House in Manchester. The writer of “Cranford” and of one of the first biography’s as we know them, about the “Life of Charlotte Bronte”, Elizabeth Gaskell lived here from 1850. The house is a detached regency period Grade II building with a delightful walled garden- Charles Dickens is among the writers who are said to have been guests at the Gaskell’s.

The Heritage money will help refurbish the house inside and outside and will enable visitors to enter the house just as it was all those years ago. Sadly there aren’t any collections to speak of when it comes to furniture, desks, chairs and so on, so it will all be reproduced. This is probably better for us visitors though as it means we’ll be allowed to sit on the chairs and walk on the rugs- unlike at some historical homes.

The space once renovated will have to be self sufficient and therefore areas within the property will be available for hire for functions, lecture, exibitions. Currently the villa opens on the first Sunday of every month 12-4 and is £1 entry for adults and free for children. Tea, coffee and cake are available too!

For more details go to Elizabeth Gaskell House

 

 

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