From infants and juniors to the Boys’ High School, Ravensbury Street School shaped generations of Clayton children. Explore class photos, football teams, school trips, tree planting and the story of 'Between Ourselves'. Read more here: claytonhall.org/ravensbury-street/

High Sheriff of Lancashire, possible inspiration for Shakespeare’s Berowne, and owner of one magnificent beard. Meet Sir John Byron: “Little Sir John with the Great Beard”. He lived at Clayton Hall in the mid-1500s, before inheriting Newstead Abbey in 1567.

All dressed up and ready for afternoon tea in Clayton Hall’s drawing room! ☕🎩 Thank you for visiting us and for allowing us to share these fabulous photographs from your visit. We hope you had a wonderful time! 🔍Visit claytonhall.org

A huge thank you to Graham for donating his hand-painted figure of Sir Thomas Fairfax. Fairfax and his troops visited Clayton Hall en route to Nantwich in January 1644. It joins Graham’s earlier figure of Oliver Cromwell.

A huge thank you to everyone who visited Clayton Hall today! Our next free open day is Saturday 15th August. We hope to see you then. 1/2

"This quiche is gorgeous. It's better than Mark's & Spencer's, and that's saying summat." — Another satisfied visitor enjoying our Pauline's homemade quiche. Our museum and tea room is open til 3pm today, why not pay us a visit? 🔍Visit claytonhall.org

Philips Park celebrates its 180th anniversary this year! In our latest article, Clayton Hall volunteers Graham Travis and Gill Bennett take us through the park’s remarkable history, illustrated with photographs old and new. Read more here: claytonhall.org/philips-park/

Get ready to step back in time this Saturday, 1st August. Hands-on stuff in every room, winding staircases and costumed Victorians make Clayton Hall a fun place to explore. Doors open at 11am (last entry 3pm). 🔍Plan your visit: claytonhall.org/visit/

This wonderful 1937 photograph shows Clayton Old Hall Old Men’s Association before its 8th annual outing to Morecambe. The group may have formed around 1929 and perhaps met at Clayton Hall. Its oldest member, Mr W. Howarth, was 82.

Thank you to Out in the City for visiting Clayton Hall today! We loved welcoming you and hope everyone had a wonderful time. Take a look at their fabulous photos from the visit: outinthecity.org/portfolio/clayton-hall-29-7-26/

A journey through time: North Road, from Edge Lane to Ashton New Road. These first views show its semi-rural upper end around 1890: villas standing among fields and gardens, including Ashley Villa at the Edge Lane junction, which still survives.

Clayton Hall’s medieval story is closely tied to the Byron family. Pictured is Sir John Byron, “Little Sir John with the Great Beard”, who lived at Clayton before inheriting Newstead Abbey. Long before literary fame, the Byron name had deep local roots.

Born in Clayton in 1902, Leonard “Len” Johnson became one of Britain’s finest boxers. Over an eleven-year professional career, he fought 127 contests and won 92, defeating some of the leading fighters of his generation. 1/5

The “Nunnery” once dominated the skyline above Clayton Vale. Formerly Culcheth Hall, it became St Mary’s Home for the Aged, run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. It closed in the early 1970s and was later demolished. Keeley Close now occupies most of the site.

Q: Why are there two Eastern By Passes, one in Clayton and one in Openshaw? A: They were meant to be one road. Using archive photos from Manchester Libraries, maps and plans, we’ve traced its route through East Manchester. Read the story here: claytonhall.org/eastern-by-p...

A fascinating survival from Clayton’s industrial past: an advertising blotter for Wm. Robinson & Co. of Clayton Ltd, makers of “Pure Malt Vinegar” used for fish and chips, pickling, preserving and cooking.

Clayton Hall’s Civil War story links it to the great upheavals of the 17th century. Humphrey Chetham helped finance Parliament’s cause, and Sir Thomas Fairfax stayed here with his troops. Cromwell is also said to have visited, though no evidence has yet been found.

After the Second World War, prefabs offered thousands of families a quick, modern answer to Britain’s housing crisis. These 1963 photographs show examples on Combe Avenue and Pioneer Street, Clayton, long since demolished, but fondly remembered by many who called them home.

Today, Clayton Vale is known for its woodland and wildlife, but it once contained an isolation hospital used to protect Manchester from infectious disease. By the 1890s, Clayton Vale Hospital was treating smallpox patients, safely separated from the city’s crowded streets. 1/3

Thank you so much for this wonderful review! Clayton Hall is entirely volunteer-run, so being described as a “hidden gem” means the world to us. Enjoy your visit? Leave us a review and help us hold on to our #1 spot of things to do in Manchester: tinyurl.com/ClaytonHallTripAdvisor

We’re incredibly proud to have been ranked #6 in TransPennine Express’s Top 10 Hidden Gems across the North of England and Scotland! A wonderful recognition of Clayton Hall, its remarkable history and the dedicated volunteers who bring it to life. 👇

This aerial photograph shows Manchester Corporation's new council housing estate in Clayton in 1925, over 100 years ago. Look closely and you'll notice something missing: there is no Folkestone Hotel and no shops on Folkestone Road. The estate was still brand new. 1/5

Many Clayton residents have fond memories of Hewlett Johnson Playing Fields. Johnson, born in Manchester in 1874, became Dean of Canterbury and was known as the “Red Dean” for his Christian socialism and controversial support for the Soviet Union. 1/2

A few snaps from our scrapbook following Clayton Hall’s reopening on 18th July! Thank you again to Brian Stark for these wonderful photographs. We’ll next be open on Saturday 1st August. Hope to see you then! 🔍Visit claytonhall.org

After a successful reopening on Saturday, our Trustees met this evening to plan future events at Clayton Hall. Exciting things are coming, so watch this space! Bonus snaps of two leafy locals looking particularly splendid this evening. 🌳🌳

Clayton's Bank Street Baths and Wash House opened on 17 December 1931, providing public baths and laundry facilities at a time when many local homes had no bathroom or running hot water. Buildings like these transformed public health and everyday life for thousands of Manchester families.

125 years apart. From Clayton Hall’s restoration in 1901, attended by Lord Mayor Sir James Hoy, to its reopening in 2026 with our patron Sir Warren Smith, former Lord Mayor Carmine Grimshaw, volunteers and visitors. A Hall truly open to the whole community.

A huge thank you to Adam and the team at Warden Construction Ltd for their outstanding work throughout Clayton Hall’s renovations. Adam was a constant presence on site, overseeing the project with care, professionalism and real respect for our historic hidden gem.

A huge thank you to photographer Brian Stark for giving his time to take photos at Clayton Hall today, we can't wait to see them! And thank you to our visitors for your incredible generosity, we’ve never had a day with so many donations. Every penny helps us care for the Hall and keep it open.

A huge thank you to our volunteer Simon, who has loaned us an original 1654 document issued in the name of Oliver Cromwell, complete with part of its wax seal, alongside a collection of Civil War musket balls. Fascinating survivors from a turbulent period in our history!