Red House Museum to Be Auctioned December 3

The former Red House Museum in Gomersal, West Yorkshire, is set to be auctioned on December 4, with a guide price of £650,000, as part of Kirklees Council's strategy to address a £47m budget shortfall. This Grade II*-listed Georgian mansion, built in 1660, has historical connections to Charlotte Brontë, as it was the home of her friend Mary Taylor, and inspired her novel 'Shirley'. The property has been closed since 2016 and previously served as a museum from 1974. Kirklees Council plans to dispose of over 50 assets, and the Red House Yorkshire Heritage Trust expressed deep sadness over the sale. Auctioneers believe the site could be redeveloped or returned to residential use, highlighting its rich historical features and prominent location in the village of Gomersal.