On 1st Dec 2024 The Hall transferred ownership to The Brougham Hall CIC.

Following the purchase of Brougham Hall by Christopher Terry in 1985, The Brougham Hall Charitable Trust was set up in Oct 1986, its aim to restore Brougham Hall to its past splendour.

There were sufficient surviving drawings, photographs and paintings for The Trust to be absolutely certain of the external appearance of the building in its heyday. Work progressed within the capabilities of the Trusts budget – there was no particular time scale. The rate of progress was conditioned by the availability of finance, skilled labour and the weather, with it being the definition of a labour of love. Each stage of restoration also had to be discussed with the appropriate planning authorities.

The Brougham Hall Trusts’ intent was to restore Brougham Hall as it was externally. Unfortunately, the Trust could never attempt to replicate the interiors, nor would it be particularly conducive to finding worthy 21st century uses for the building once restored. Whilst records survive of what the Hall used to look like on the inside, it was beyond the scope of our their and for them remained a pipe dream!

In 2024 when The Trust decided to withdraw from Brougham Hall. The Brougham Hall CIC was set up by 6 of the resident artists their aim to stop the hall from being sold to commercial developers. Their plan in the immediate future is to make the hall watertight and fit for its current purpose – what the future holds for The Hall is yet to be decided – but The Brougham Hall CIC are certain that with help of the whole community the future will be bright and Brougham Hall will be saved.

Priorities are given to those parts of the building which are most in need of attention or which provide the most immediate solutions to our critical shortage of space. Wherever possible, we reuse original building material; where that is not possible, we use our own skilled craftsmen. On Monday June 11th, 2012, Askins & Little, Carlisle cathedral’s appointed stonemasons, started work on Phase I of the Lord Chancellor’s Den (Mr. Askins started as a trainee at Brougham Hall when he was 16 years old). This is a de-vegetation and consolidation exercise, to provide a level platform off which to spring the second and third floors. This phase was completed in October 2012, on time and on budget, thanks to a grant from the RDPE Solway, Border & Eden LEADER Programme.

Restoration work is taking place as transparently as possible with very few ‘no go’ areas for visitors. Dangerous areas are clearly marked. Visitors are free to explore both the completed sections and those areas still awaiting restoration, but should remember that work is ongoing and children should be supervised. A superb scale model of the Hall in its heyday can be found in our museum, with a delightful Cromwellian Chapel alongside Brougham Hall.

The continuing restoration of Brougham Hall depends on donations. Your help is gratefully received.

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