Swarthmoor Hall — Land & Legacy

Swarthmoor Hall is a Grade II* listed historic house in Cumbria, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Swarthmoor Hall

Swarthmoor Hall stands on the edge of Ulverston in Cumbria and dates largely from the late 16th and 17th centuries.

It is known as the cradle of Quakerism, since it was here in 1652 that George Fox found shelter and support that helped the movement take shape.

The house is owned by the Religious Society of Friends and is a member property of Historic Houses.

Visitors can see historic rooms furnished to tell the story of the Fell family and the early Friends, and the grounds include a café and a wildflower meadow.

History of Swarthmoor Hall

The hall was built about 1568 by George Fell and later passed to his son Thomas Fell, a judge and MP. Thomas Fell's wife, Margaret Fell, sheltered George Fox at the hall in 1652 and turned it into a meeting place for early Quakers during a period of fierce religious persecution. Margaret, widowed in 1658, married George Fox in 1669 and is remembered as a founding figure of the movement in her own right.

Architecture of Swarthmoor Hall

The hall is a stone-built Elizabethan manor house with later 17th century alterations, retaining oak-panelled rooms and period staircases typical of gentry houses of the period.

Worth knowing

The hall's great hall was the setting for early Quaker meetings for worship, and Margaret Fell's correspondence from here helped organise the nascent movement across England.

Gardens & grounds at Swarthmoor Hall

The grounds include formal garden areas, orchards and a wildflower meadow that visitors can walk through after seeing the house.

Facilities

Parking Café

Plan your visit to Swarthmoor Hall

Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Ulverston Rail Station (0.4 miles)

Places to visit near Swarthmoor Hall

Holker Hall

historic house 4.8 miles

Visit Holker Hall View Holker Hall on heritage map

Bow Bridge

historic building 5.1 miles

View Bow Bridge on heritage map

Furness Abbey Museum

museum 5.2 miles

View Furness Abbey Museum on heritage map

Furness Abbey

historic building 5.2 miles

View Furness Abbey on heritage map

Sandscale Haws

historic building 6.5 miles

Visit Sandscale Haws View Sandscale Haws on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Swarthmoor Hall there are 1 historic properties, including 1 historic house.

1 Historic Houses

1 Historic house

See these 1 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Swarthmoor Hall there are 9 historic properties, including 4 historic buildings and 2 museums, across English Heritage, National Trust and Churches Conservation Trust sites.

5 English Heritage

2 National Trust

1 Churches Conservation Trust

1 Historic Houses

4 Historic building

2 Museum

1 Church

1 Castle

1 Historic house

See these 9 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Swarthmoor Hall there are 31 historic properties, including 16 historic buildings, 5 historic houses and 4 castles, across National Trust, English Heritage and Historic Houses sites.

13 National Trust

9 English Heritage

6 Historic Houses

3 Churches Conservation Trust

16 Historic building

5 Historic house

4 Castle

3 Church