Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Welcome to the home of Elizabeth Gaskell, Manchester’s very own Literary house. A truly hands-on experience that will introduce you to the world of the writer Elizabeth Gaskell and her family through historic period rooms, Victorian style garden, expert guides and changing exhibitions.

Described by the press after her death as ‘one of the greatest female novelists of all time’ Elizabeth Gaskell was born in 1810 and lived at 84 Plymouth Grove in Manchester with her family from 1850 until her death in 1865. She is best known for writing Cranford, North and South and the biography of her friend Charlotte Bronte.

Take a seat and DO touch!
Young and old will find plenty to keep them entertained with dressing up, activity baskets, family trails led by Cranford the cat and family craft activities during school holidays. Very few objects are out of bounds and there’s always a seat to rest weary legs.

We have some furnishings and objects that belonged to the Gaskells, but the other furniture in the house is all from that period. The chintz for the curtains and loose covers have been printed from a 1850s design, and the carpets have been specially woven, using Victorian patterns preserved by a mill in Halifax. The fireplaces, sourced locally, date from around 1840 when the House was built and the light fittings have all been converted from gas to electricity. Further research identified the original paint colours and the styles of the wallpapers.