Moorside House

An exclusive guided tour by the current owner of Moorside House and gardens. A Grade II Listed building, once home to the pioneer of women’s suffrage, Lydia Ernstine Becker.

Like many girls at the time, Lydia was educated at home. She studied botany and astronomy and won a gold medal in 1862 for a scholarly paper on horticulture. She corresponded with Charles Darwin and convinced him to send a paper to the society. Lydia was one of several 19th-century women who contributed to Darwin’s scientific work. She was also recognised for her own contributions. She received a national prize in the 1860s for a collection of dried plants prepared using a method that she had developed, which preserved their original colours. On the panel of one of the doors in the house is a painting of flowers, possibly by Lydia Becker.

Lydia Becker made significant contributions to the suffrage movement. Her efforts paved the way for progress, and her legacy continues to inspire advocates for gender equality today. Making her one of the first Amazing Accrington founders.

The property, constructed circa 1830, was built by Hannibal Leigh Becker, and lies in approximately 1.6 acres or thereabouts of formal gardens.
The gardens are well stocked and tended and are a delight to wander through with a wide variety of rhododendrons, azaleas, roses and mature trees and shrubs. The front garden is dominated by a specimen weeping ash tree with uninterrupted views over the surrounding farmland and Pendle Hill.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 20 September:

1600-1700

Sunday 21 September:

1200-1300

Location & directions

Moorside House, Burnley Road, Altham, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 5UL

Contact on day:

Kelly Groves [email protected]

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please pre-book via Eventbrite.

Booking website:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heritage-open-week-a-tour-of-moorside-house-tickets-1556198895789?aff=oddtdtcreator

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:

25

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s)

Back to results