Work begins to transform Bothy Yard at Haigh

Work to transform Haigh’s Bothy Yard and working buildings into a horticultural hub complete with training facilities, an education space, and event opportunities is set to begin imminently.

Visitors will be able to explore a new, impressive glasshouse in the kitchen garden.

The house will have a heated zone for tender plants, such as bananas and pineapples, and a cooler zone for hardier plants, such as grapes and peaches.

The area will also act as space for schools and education providers to use, a small shop in the yard will stock selected Haigh produce, and it will  supply produce to the café and restaurant in the hall.

The transformation of this previously unused space supports the delivery of an inspirational horticulture vision, led by Haigh’s head of horticulture, Dr Sylvia Travers.

Construction company H.H. Smith were appointed to carry out the restoration and redevelopment work, which will begin on site at the end of October.

Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities at Wigan Council, said: “It’s great to be at the point where we’re about to see work on the Bothy Yard beginning.

“There has been so much work going on at Haigh Hall, both visibly on site and behind the scenes so it’s brilliant to see this momentum continuing.

“The next 18 months will be transformative for the Bothy area, and when work is complete there will be so much on offer to all visitors to Haigh.

“From events, to picnic space, to educational areas, there really will be something for everyone to enjoy.”

The Bothy Yard and working buildings are due to be complete in Spring 2027, with funding being provided by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The work is part of a £50m project at Haigh transforming the hall and wider estate into a world-class cultural destination.

Exterior works on the hall were completed in Summer 2025 and a planning application for permission to renovate the interior was submitted earlier this month.

Find out more about the work at Haigh by visiting the Haigh Hall restoration website.