Restoration of 17th century hall to bring film-set fantasy to life in Chadderton
Foxdenton Hall, a 17th-century building in Chadderton, Oldham, is undergoing a £3.5 million restoration project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Oldham Council. The hall, once home to suffragist Lydia Becker and the Radclyffe family, has been vacant for 14 years. The restoration, led by charity Chadderton Together, aims to transform it into a vibrant community hub, heritage attraction, and business space. The project also includes restoring the historic walled garden. The initiative is celebrated as a way to preserve local heritage, promote community engagement, and support social inclusion.
Foxdenton Hall Restoration Celebrated as Major Milestone Reached
Friday, 10th October 2025 | Oldham
A milestone in local heritage has been celebrated at Foxdenton Park, where civic leaders, community volunteers, and residents gathered to mark the award of a £228,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant—part of a £3.5 million plan to rescue and reinvigorate the 17th-century Grade II-listed mansion.
Mayor of Oldham Councillor Eddie Moores and Deputy Leader Councillor Elaine Taylor joined representatives from Chadderton Together, the charity leading the project, for an outdoor gathering that doubled as both a thank-you to volunteers and a launch event for the restoration’s first phase.
Built around 1720 for Alexander Radclyffe, Foxdenton Hall incorporates within its footprint the foundations of an earlier 1620 hall commissioned by the Radclyffe family, long-time political and financial supporters of King Charles I. After decades of private ownership and 14 years standing empty, the mansion—described by guests as “the kind of place you’d choose if you were building your dream period-drama set”—was at risk of serious decay.
The initial £347,000 funding bundle (£228,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund plus £119,000 pledged by Oldham Council) will stabilise the structure, repair the roof, and address urgent timber decay, ensuring the building is wind- and weather-tight. Future phases, subject to additional grants, will create a community hub, heritage learning centre, and enterprise space.
Cllr Moores praised the collaboration between the council, National Lottery players, and local volunteers:
“This historic building means a lot to local people,” he 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.”
Deputy Leader Cllr Elaine Taylor echoed the sentiment, thanking Chadderton Together for its “hard work in putting the bid together” and singling out Cllr Colin McLaren for “unrelenting dedication” to the cause.
Guests enjoyed refreshments provided by volunteers at Lydia’s Tearoom— itself a community success story. Run by Chadderton Together within a converted bowling pavilion, the tearoom was restored with earlier Heritage Lottery funding and now raises supplementary funds for the hall’s revival while serving as a social hub.
Graham Taylor, speaking on behalf of Chadderton Together, told visitors:
“If you could bring your dream house to life, this would be it. It looks like the set of a period drama, and soon it will sound, feel, and live like one too.”
Outside, organisers outlined plans for the once-grand walled garden, which will be replanted as a 17th-century-style heritage space designed for outdoor events and quiet reflection.
The next stage of development is already under detailed review by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with a full delivery grant of £2.27 million being considered to complete the £3.5 million vision.
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