New Tudor-inspired sound trail launched at Ordsall Hall

Ordsall Hall has launched a brand new Tudor-inspired sound trail for visitors to take part in over April.

Starting from April 15, the sound trail is open for two weeks as part of a research project conducted by the University of Manchester.

The sound trail encourages visitors to explore different rooms across the hall and write down what you could hear and what you might have heard in the Tudor times.

For two weeks from Monday, April 15th, explore sounds at Ordsall Hall!

Pick up this free trail to help Cameron Naylor, a PhD student at the University of Manchester, with his research.

If you enjoy this, come to Cameron’s recording workshops on April 21st and 28th! pic.twitter.com/xYWfFhW6An

— Ordsall Hall (@OrdsallHall) April 14, 2024

Lead by PhD student, Cameron Naylor, the research is looking into how people engage with historical venues through sound and what sound they imagine might have been heard throughout the time there.

Volunteers’ participation in the research will help establish methods for public engagement through sounds and music.

The sound trail begins at reception, where visitors can sign up and be given an interactive booklet that guides them around the hall.

The first stop was the kitchen, which dates back to the 1630s. Here, visitors were asked what they could see that could make noise.

Following on from the kitchen, visitors head into the Great Hall. Built in 1548, it is one of the earliest and most impressive timber-framed halls in the region.

Next on the trail, visitors head to the chambers. The star chamber is one of the earliest examples of domestic apartments in the country.

The following Great Chamber, is the oldest wing in the hall, dating back to 1360.

By the end of the trail, volunteers will have a booklet full of the sounds they heard throughout the trail which will be returned to reception and used for research.

The Hall will be welcoming the research conductor on April 21 and April 28 as Naylor conducts recording workshops, and visitors are welcome to come along.

The featured image is taken by Carroll Pierce.