A LOCAL visitor attraction has been recognised as one of the best with almost a million people visiting it last year.
Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens has received national recognition from Visit England as being one of the most visited free attractions in England.
Its growing popularity is down to the attraction’s visitor offer, fascinating history and outstanding collections of fine and decorative art, making it a must-visit destination for people near and far.
Visit England is the official tourist board responsible for leading and enabling a sustainable and resilient visitor economy.
Their annual report showcases the best venues from across the country that attract high numbers of visitors each year.
In 2023, almost one million people visited Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens.
The destination has an excellent events and exhibitions programme, and the attraction has gone from strength to strength, transforming throughout the years.
In 2019, the attraction was awarded £3.8m by the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Parks for People project, which restored the historic parklands to its former Georgian splendour and improved accessibility.
The same year, the site received £60,000 from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund 2018-20, ensuring that more of Cannon Hall’s wonderful ceramics collection would be displayed.
More recently, almost £900k of funding from the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) has been secured for essential repairs to Cannon Hall’s roof, with work due to commence this summer.
An 18th century garden wall has been saved thanks to a £55,000 grant from Historic England. The brick wall surrounds Cannon Hall’s kitchen garden, which was built in 1760 and forms part of the former stately home’s Grade II listed grounds.
Cannon Hall has recently retained their Green Flag Award, an international quality mark for parks and green spaces, highlighting the dedication of the team and volunteers, in providing beautiful outdoor spaces for all to enjoy.
In the last 12 months, over 42 trees have been planted across the parklands, mainly replacing veteran trees, which have been lost over the years due to old age.
Additionally, the Parks and Gardens have retained the Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the management and promotion of its historic features on site.
The Friends of Cannon Hall have also contributed extensively to projects across the site. This has included fundraising for Restoring the Glory and Parks for People and supporting the repair of historical features, such as the greenhouse and plunge pool. The continued hard work and dedication of the volunteers help make the gardens a beautiful place to visit all year round.
Coun Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “We are incredibly proud of the national recognition Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens has received. It’s a very special place where many make special memories, and it is a real jewel in the Yorkshire landscape. There is so much to explore inside and out, making it perfect for a free day out. The inclusion in the list reflects the hard work and passion of our team, volunteers, and partners. We are committed to the sustainability and preservation of our cultural destinations and green spaces, and we will continue to support and enhance these vital areas for the benefit of all.”
