Beech Grove House, 1799: a look inside the University of Leeds' oldest building

*New to Leeds Heritage Open Days!* - the first time this Grade II listed building has been opened to the public by the University of Leeds: sharing stories of the March family who made this house their Georgian home.

Abram Rhodes, Woodhouse cloth mill owner, had Beech Grove House built for him in 1799. A new home in the green suburbs.

Joseph Ogdin March and his family bought the house in 1840. Joseph Ogdin March, a Holbeck man, was apprentice and partner to engineer Matthew Murray. He married Matthew Murray's daughter, Mary. Their family continued to live in Beech Grove House until 1925, when it was then bought by the University of Leeds.

Mayor of Leeds; successful industry man supplying the need for iron and factory machinery; March's busy South Leeds iron foundry is a resounding success. Two of Mary and Joseph's daughters - Rosa and Caroline - come to be known in Leeds society as the 'Misses March' - a pair of beneficent, educated women living together in Beech Grove House. As parishioners of St. Mark's Church in Woodhouse they create opportunities and support for workers and the poor people of Leeds.

Join us to look inside the oldest building at the University of Leeds and find out more about the March family who lived there.

EXTRA EVENT: AUTHOR TALK at 12pm 'The Bilbroughs of Beech Grove Terrace - Reimagine the everyday lives of a middle class Victorian family in the house where they lived.' with Catherine Wright. Pre-book seats via online channel link below.

Timings

Saturday 12 September:

10am to 4pm

Location & directions

Beech Grove House, The University of Leeds, in the University Precinct, opposite the LUU Student Union Building & the Refectory, Beech Grove Terrace, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9JT

Directions:

Beech Grove House can be found opposite the University Students' Union Building and the Refectory on the University Precinct, in a pedestrianised area. It's a cream coloured sandstone mini-mansion house with a big blue door on the side. What3Words location: ///sound.known.images. Public Parking is available in the Orange Zone on the campus at weekends; access via Woodhouse Lane main University of Leeds entrance. There is ANPR automatic number plate recognition and payment is required as per the tariff displayed. Tariffs also apply to blue badge holders. Please pay on EXIT at one of the cashless pay machines in the Orange Zone. For ease we do recommend parking in the Orange Zone on Saturday. There's also parking available at Woodhouse Lane multi-storey car park about 15 minutes walk away.

Contact on day:

Stuart Petch

Telephone number:

+447756181350

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

The ground floor of Beech Grove House where the Heritage Open Day will be happening is fully wheelchair accessible. Stairs and a lift are available to view the architecture on and from the first floor. Wheelchair access is signposted and is via a separate side door around the corner from the main entrance. The main entrance to Beech Grove House has one low stone step into the property.

Additional information

AUTHOR TALK: our special EXTRA Beech Grove House Heritage Open Day event! We are delighted to host guest author Catherine Wright at 12pm in Beech Grove House on Saturday 12th September - Author Talk: 'The Bilbroughs of Beech Grove Terrace - Reimagine the everyday lives of a middle class Victorian family in the house where they lived.' Author Catherine Wright reveals the lives of the Bilbrough family: neighbours of the March family who lived in Beech Grove Terrace next door. Join us for Catherine's talk at 12pm - 1.30pm (approx) - Pre-book your seats via the online channel link below...

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