Inside the lavish old home ‘fit for film set’ that’s about to get a major make-over

Stunning photos reveal the inside of a beautiful old manor house in Oldham that has been left to crumble for more than a decade. 

Foxdenton Hall in Chadderton has been closed to the public for 14 years. But lavish interiors show the 200-year-old building’s huge potential to be brought back into use.

That dream may soon become a reality. After tireless work by a local campaign group, the 18th century building has been awarded almost £350k to kick-start a huge restoration project.

The Chadderton Together group has won a grant of £228,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £119,000 from Oldham Council to create an initial plan for the renovation. 

The former home of suffragist Lydia Becker, a citizen scientist who played a key role in the fight for women’s right to vote, the house will be ‘reimagined’ as a community hub, heritage site and destination for schools, according to councillors. 

An outdoor area will also be restored into a 17th century green space, as it was originally located behind the hall. This area will be used for events and be planted with period flowers which were popular in the hall’s early history.

The detailed proposal will then be considered by the Heritage Fund in a second round of grant awards. 

If they are successful, the group will receive a full funding award of £2.27m to carry out the project.

Pictures of the inside of the building still reveal its former glamour, with campaigners describing it as ‘fit to be turned into a film set’ for a period drama. 

Large rooms once used to receive guests show elegant wooden panelling, other areas feature wide arched doorways, tiled fireplaces and beautiful old carvings and details like a brass lion doorknocker. 

Oldham’s Mayor Eddie Moores welcomed the restoration project and has pledged to select Foxdenton Hall as one of his chosen charities this year.
“This historic building means a lot to local people,” Mayor Moores said. “Foxdenton Hall is more than a building, it is about community, heritage, and opportunity.

“Supporting this project is a personal priority for me, and I am committed to helping ensure it succeeds. I look forward to seeing the Hall restored and full of life again, serving the local community for generations to come.”

And the council’s deputy leader, Elaine Taylor, also recognised the importance of the grant, stating it would enable Chadderton Together to move forward with the initial planning stage.

The house was closed down in 2010 following issues with the electrical supply and dry rot and is in danger of deteriorating further without intervention, according to experts.