Cannon Hall

Cannon Hall is a country house museum located between the villages of Cawthorne and High Hoyland north of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England. Originally the home of the Spencer-Stanhope family, it now houses collections of fine furniture, paintings, ceramics and glassware. The core of Cannon Hall was built at the opening of the 18th century for John Spencer, possibly by John Etty of York, more surely with interior joinery by William Thornton, another well-known local craftsman. It was enlarged with the addition of wings in 1764-7 by the premier mid-Georgian architect working in Yorkshire, John Carr. Subsequently the wings were heightened, giving the rather high blocked mass seen today. The last member of the family, Elizabeth, sold the house to Barnsley Council in 1951. Cannon Hall Museum opened to the public in 1957.

The surrounding parkland was landscaped in the 18th century by Richard Woods of Chertsey, and features acres of parkland, lakes, waterfalls, follies and vistas. The Victorian pleasure grounds are located close to the Georgian walled garden, which houses an impressive collection of pear trees, among other plants. Cannon Hall Museum, park and gardens is owned and operated by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

Reference

• Howard Colvin, A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840