'It will be spectacular': Lord Crawford on Haigh Hall transformation
Two esteemed guests with strong links to Haigh Hall’s heritage made a trip to visit the site earlier this month, meeting the team responsible for delivering its £50m transformation.
Lord Crawford and Ripton Lindsay, both descendants of Alexander Lindsay – who was the 6th Earl of Balcarres and 23rd Earl of Crawford – visited Haigh and were given a tour of the hall and wider site.
They were able to see the completed work on the exterior of the hall, as well as the proposed upcoming plans to transform the inside of the hall into an art gallery, with extensive hospitality and education spaces.
Following the visit, Lord Crawford said: “You have certainly put together a very dedicated and enthusiastic team who, it is clear, want to produce something special for the people of Wigan.
“I very much look forward to returning to enjoy a drink in the rooftop bar – it will be spectacular!”
The tour also included the Bothy Yard where work started in September, as well as Amphitheatre for a Tree garden which was unveiled in spring.
Planning permission was recently submitted to transform Haigh Hall into a cultural destination, including plans to open a rooftop bar with stunning views over the region also included.
The new floor plans also include a flexible hospitality space that can be enjoyed as a café in the day and restaurant by evening, as well as event spaces, boutique bedrooms and a gift shop. There will also be an upgrade to the car park, including new technology, improved external landscaping and an upgrade to utility supplies.
Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods at Wigan Council, added: “It was wonderful to have Lord Crawford and Ripton Lindsay on site at Haigh, to see the transformation so far and hear about the planned redevelopment.
“We’re proud of the work already taken place and we’re glad our VIP visitors are also excited about what is to come!
“Lord Crawford hit the nail on the head when he said the team want to produce something special for the people of Wigan… they absolutely do.
“I can’t wait to see it come to life and see local people enjoying the hall once again.“
Elsewhere on the site, the Grade II* listed Plantation Gates and lodges are being renovated into a visitor centre, with an artistic installation.
Work is progressing on the Bothy Yard, where a horticultural hub is being developed which will also provide opportunities for training, education, community groups, volunteers and events. The area also hosts the walled gardens, where a hot and cold glasshouse will be built in the Kitchen Garden to grow fruit, vegetables and other produce. The ambition is that that the produce grown will be served to guests in the café and restaurant.
The hall is due to open in 2028, the Bothy Yard in 2027, and Plantation Gates in 2026.
The transformation of Haigh Hall is funded by Levelling UP and Wigan Council.
More information on the redevelopment at Haigh can be found on our Haigh webpages or by following @Haigh.Hall on Instagram.
