Heritage Society
The Hall was once home to the most precious private library in the world, equal to the Medici Bibliotheca. Haigh Hall was a beacon of knowledge for the privileged few. Now the hall will become a space for equal opportunity, to learn, research and share knowledge.
Creating a new heritage society, members will be encouraged and supported to discover new stories from our 900 years of heritage in a purpose-built reading room and share those stories with visitors to the hall in special tours, talks and trails reconnecting Haigh Hall to the wider community and the town's magnificent history.
Horticultural Society
Built in the heart of the largest ancient woodland in Greater Manchester, Haigh Hall will become a beacon for environmental and social regeneration, developing a new horticulture society bringing communities together to take care of this precious landscape for future generations to enjoy.
New gate for the Mowpin Lodge entrance
A new gate is to be commissioned for the Mowpin Lodge entrance to Haigh Hall. Three designs have been created to celebrate the magnificent heritage of the Haigh Estate. The people of Wigan Borough are now being invited to decide which gate they want to see at Mowpin Lodge entrance.
The fundamental gate design is ironwork from the 1830's, the same period in which the current Hall was built. Each gate is made unique with elements based on 3 different focus points of heritage from Haigh's history:
- Haigh Hall's Bibliotheca Lindesiana Swan with a key
- Haigh's 900 year history of mining shovel and pickaxe
- Haigh Hall's Eye of Providence ceiling plasterwork
View the new gate design for the Mowpin Lodge entrance.
Amphitheatre for a Tree
Instigating a new horticulture experience at Haigh, Amphitheatre for a Tree will put the environment at the centre of a new garden for visitors.
Inspired by the stepped lawns in the formal gardens at Haigh Hall captured by Edward Haytley’s 1746 painting of Sir Roger and Lady Bradshaigh, Amphitheatre for a Tree will begin the process of transforming the area around the hall into an elegant English Garden for friends and family to explore, picnic and enjoy together.
Working in collaboration with Wigan based RHS Gold Medal winning horticulturalist Michael John McGarr, a new approach to encouraging biodiversity will transform the natural world at Haigh.
Heritage, Nature and People Project
The National Heritage Lottery Fund (NHLF) has awarded Wigan Council funding to develop the second phase of the Haigh masterplan focusing on the restoration of key heritage features around the wider park, including the proposed restoration of the Haigh plantation gates and nearby lodges. The project aims to restore and bring unused areas of the park back to life while enhancing the overall visitor experience.