What is the future of Haigh Hall and Woodland Park?
Haigh Woodland Park is already a much-loved destination with over 500,000 visitors each year, hosting a range of popular events such as Foodie Friday, our annual firework display and Christmas and Halloween events.
We’re so excited about the future of both Haigh Hall and the Woodland Park - particularly seeing the hall restored to its former glory.
The hall is scheduled to open its doors to the public in 2027, but we have a long way to go before then.
You will have noticed lots of scaffolding around the hall as the external works have been undertaken. These external renovations have included roof works, plus repairs to the three glass domes and repairs/replacing of the chimney pots, cleaning of the external stonework, drainage improvements, iron works and the replacement of rotten timbers throughout.
It is anticipated that the external works will be completed by March 2025.
We will then move onto our internal design brief with partner, Stirling prize winners, Atkins Realis, Witherford, Watson and Mann and Purcell – as well as a team of outstanding contractors.
Please do navigate your way around our website to learn more about the different projects we’re working on and spread the word with your friends and family.
We know that Haigh Hall is an incredibly important and iconic piece of our heritage, and we’re committed to delivering the Haigh Hall project for all people in Wigan Borough to enjoy for many generations to come.
What will I be able to enjoy when the project is completed?
Haigh Hall will be open to the public for all to explore and enjoy. A restaurant and café, fuelled by produce from the estate’s productive gardens, will feed the community once again.
Culture, heritage and education are at the heart of plans for the hall, and we’ll also be opening a roof top terrace bar for breathtaking views over Wigan.
Another exciting element is that we’ll be able to host weddings and events once again. People often share their memories of tying the knot at Haigh
and we are often asked if this is a possibility, so we can’t wait to see local people married at the iconic Haigh Hall once again!
And beyond the hall, visitors will be able to explore Plantation Gates and the lodge houses and take the land train to the hall.
As well as this, they will be able to explore the comet play trail through the plantations, learning about Haigh’s rich astronomical history.
Horticulture is at the heart of plans and the beautiful walled gardens will be open to the public.
Classes and events are set to take place in the setting of our magnificent contemporary Victorian glasshouse.
Finally, all of this will be delivered by our new horticultural apprentices who will be working alongside our volunteers at the Bothy Cottages and in the gardens.
How is the restoration of Haigh Hall being funded?
There are multiple funding bodies supporting the restoration of the Haigh Hall.
A successful Levelling Up Fund bid saw us receive £20m to restore the hall from national government. Wigan Council has committed £21m in match funding for the Hall.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting the project with a grant of £4.6m along with match funding from Wigan Council of £3.6m.
Arts Council England are supporting the play trail and Ampitheatre for a Tree with an £85k contribution.
Wigan Council maintains close relationships with each funding body to provide regular updates and ensure that all elements of the Haigh Hall project will be delivered.
What is the operating and governance model for Haigh Hall?
We have reviewed various operating and governance options to ensure the long-term sustainability of Haigh Hall.
Wigan Council will retain all aspects of the governance and management of Haigh Hall and the estate on behalf of the residents of the borough and will be directly contracting an independent hospitality operator.
Following the advice of independent experts, we are looking into the development of a separate Development Trust, the sole purpose of which would be to raise funds to support the long-term sustainability of the Hall and estate, in the form of an endowment.
What are the plans for arts and culture at Haigh Hall?
Delivery of the masterplan will transform Haigh Hall into a cultural destination of national significance, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about and engage with the borough’s rich heritage, culture and history whilst providing them with a welcoming space for them to relax and enjoy the beauty of the hall and its surroundings.
We are continuing to work with partners and collaborators including Arts Council England on the cultural offer at Haigh Hall once opened.
We were working with the family of Theodore Major to try to provide a home for the Major collection at Haigh. Sadly, following the death of Theodore Major’s daughter, Mary Major, the executors of Mary Major’s estate have indicated that it is no longer possible for them to set up and administer a trust to loan the collection.
We continue to work with our partners to secure a wide range of high quality artworks from international, regional and local artists to bring the cultural vision for Haigh Hall to life, ensuring the link to the history and heritage of the hall and wider estate.
It is important to note that the Major Collection is not a requirement of any of the funding secured for Haigh Hall.
Who is responsible for the vision and delivery of Haigh Hall’s restoration?
We have a talented and multi-disciplinary project team working hard behind the scenes to make the vision at Haigh Hall a reality.
There are also many specialist and experienced contractors working on the project, including:
- Atkins Realis - Project Management Consultants (Stirling Prize winners)
- Purcell - Interior Conservation Architects
- Witherford, Watson and Mann - Interior Designers (Stirling Prize winners)
- Plincke - Landscape Designers
- Greenwoods - Technical Project Managers
- Curtins - Structural, Civils, Drainage Engineers
- Greenways - Mechanical and Electrical Engineers.
We’re working closely with these partners and also local people and organisations to promote community wealth building and supporting local talent.
We’re doing this by creating apprenticeships and working with Lost Art and award winning landscape designer, Michael John McGarr.
We are absolutely delighted to have the full and ongoing support and involvement of many stakeholders for the work we are undertaking at Haigh Hall including the volunteering community at Haigh, the local businesses of the Kitchen Courtyard, the Friends of Haigh Woodland Park, the Haigh Hall Golf Club, The Haigh Woodland Railway Supporters Association, the Wigan Model Engineers Society and the Haigh Craft Gallery.
When is this all happening?
Here’s a timeline for different stages of the project.
- Mowpin Lodge Gates install - Autumn 2024
- Amphitheatre for a Tree - Autumn 2024 (public launch Spring 2025)
- External works complete - Spring 2025
- Detailed interior design work concludes 2025, contractor to be appointed - Autumn 2025
- Woodland Hub and Comet Play Trail - On site Autumn/winter 2025
- Plantation Gates complete - Early 2026
- Bothy Yard opens - Autumn 2026
- New glass house opens in Walled Garden - 2027.
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