Abandoned Estate Tour!

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WELCOME to Hopwood Hall Estate (AKA "Downton Shabby") in Middleton, England.
This channel follows the unexpected adventures of American Hopwood DePree who, whilst living in Los Angeles, traced his family tree online, and discovered his abandoned 60-room ancestral home "Hopwood Hall Estate" that dates back to 1426! Hopwood was informed that if he didn't do something very soon to save the Hall, it would be lost forever. So he packed his bags and left LA to take on the madcap challenge of his life with a passionate team of supporters and community volunteers, in England.
We share the ups & downs, failures & triumphs of this group effort DIY rescue emergency: learning new skills, discovering house & garden secrets and seeking the inspirations that will be needed to get this Estate back onto her feet once again!
Thank you to all our Patreons, Friends and Supporters who have decided to come along on the ride with us as we transform this irreplaceable British treasure back to her original grandeur! It may take us some time, but we embrace it, as the fun is in the process!! We hope you agree and that you will gain as much from watching the journey as we are experiencing it - and do feel free to contact us via the comments section below.
If you would like to become a Patreon of this channel and receive exclusive perks and content, we'll be delighted - please click here: / hopwoodxiv
Chapter Times -
00:00 Ancestry
00:36 Historic Hopwood Woods
01:05 Family History
01:45 Medieval Carriage Entrance
02:36 The Courtyard
04:06 The Guards Room
05:39 The Reception Hall
07:20 The Family Chapel
08:26 The Morning Room
11:31 The Library
12:24 The Banquet Room
13:49 The Cellar
14:30 The Oak Parlour
16:20 The Birthing Room
17:34 The Long Gallery
18:41 The Upper Gallery
19:18 The Guest Wing (Pigeon Alley)
19:58 The Master Bedroom
20:58 Guest Bedroom
21:27 Exterior and Gardens
23:15 The Servants’ Wing
25:09 Archaeology Finds!
25:30 The Terrace
26:17 The Lord Byron Room
26:56 Bricks, Mortar & Leaded Glass Windows
27:56 Centuries of History
30:06 Thank you!

[@lisariordan2784]

Thank you for the tour!! It’s wonderful that you are restoring this amazing house and gardens. It takes a village…to raise a child and restore an estate.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Haha cheers Lisa!

[@rhinnbuck7766]

Excellently filmed, including editing and camera work. I didn’t know your ancestors were involved in the wool industry, very interesting! So much beauty in each room of the estate.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you!! 😀

[@Barbara-le9ks]

Amazing progress has been made - congratulations. The Brits are lucky to have you.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Haha thanks Barbara!

[@Kim-J312]

This is so awesome, Hopwood, that you are doing this 👏 🙌 ❤️ Just amazing 😊❤ 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 !!!

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks so much Kim!

[@greeneaglz2573]

So much work went into this video. Well done! Great to see the work you have been doing and the wonderful help of the local community.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you! 😀

[@mdunn4555]

I am so please to see how far you and the friends have come in the restoration of the Hall. You all should be so proud of yourselves.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you! 😀

[@OnTheFlipSide]

I love how this evolved over hundreds of years, and the renovations don't take it back to one entry or style but rather the evolved finish. How lucky are you to have so many wonderful features still intact, even after hundreds of years of risk to fires, wars, theft, sales, and vandals. I would love to be the lady of the house, what a privilege. So proud of all your effort, and to everyone this still lives on.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Amanda! 😀

[@kathyevans2968]

I lovethe way you highlight in your book and here, how strong, likeable and positive the community spirit is with Hopwood Hall! What an amazing project this important historical restoration is.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you Kathy!!

[@featuresoflife3112]

Love the family tree connection!

[@HopwoodXIV]

😀

[@mikemyshka1472]

Hop wood I love the family tree genealogy too. I had put my genealogy in MyHeritage and Geni. One of my distant relatives from a connection 28 generations back showed up and asked me question. From the interaction I got the genealogy connection I was surprised I had through British Monarches ancestry in branches I had not been able to piece together. I hope something similar happens for you. I once told you that we may have been connected through the family ancestors of the white field and red Chevron. Since I now know I am a Lancaster from the last lines of John of Gaunt, it maybe more possible.

[@historyhardy5529]

Fabulous work! Following the progress with great interest.

[@HopwoodXIV]

😀

[@DevonaRavenhold]

This is absolutely amazing and I am so glad to see that somebody was able to come in and truly give this historical building it's life back which it fully deserves because it is stunning! I am really looking forward to following your progress here and hope to see more frequent videos as far as the reconstruction is concerned. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@HopwoodXIV]

Yes we will be getting more videos out as soon as we possibly can! Thank you for watching Devona!

[@DevonaRavenhold]

@@HopwoodXIV then you have one additional subscriber because I love these types of videos specifically with buildings that has such a deep historical significance. Thank you for taking us along your journey! Have an amazing day!

[@johnflynn4126]

This is fabulous. Well done Hopwood for sticking to your original vision for the last ten years of restoration and renovation. I roamed around the place 60 years ago as a child, my dad Peter Flynn was Head of PE at the College. Your progress is wonderful. Even mowing the grass now makes it look like it was in the memory.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Hi John - great to hear from you! Thank you

[@LindaMarci]

Lovely tour, thank you. I think that you're going to make a wonderful guide showing visitors around. It's a beautiful place and great to see progress being made on bringing this grand old dame back to life ❤

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Linda!

[@susanmcconnell6041]

Thank you for hosting us on this journey!!! This is all so fascinating!! I am picturing the 'prime' of its history to date, and imagining its splendor to come! I cant wait to see it all come back to a vivid life under your capable and determined desire. Continued best wishes!!! 🥰🥰 Susan, Napoleon, Missouri, USA

[@HopwoodXIV]

Hi Susan! Great to hear from you. It's fantastic to know you are along with us on this journey! Hello to Napoleon, Missouri!

[@rosalynliddle1353]

No matter how many times I see this building it just takes my breath away.So honoured to be part of Hopwood Hall and in particular the Archives here.

[@HopwoodXIV]

😀❤

[@margf.6773]

Keep up the great work, Hopwood. All The Best.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you Marg!

[@eschaefer6512]

Such a fascinating house. Congratulations to all the work that has been done by experts and especially to the community who have been hugely supportive.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you so much! 😀

[@solitairesmith3553]

I can't wait until it is finished to its original glory. And I would LOVE ❤️ to visit

[@HopwoodXIV]

Me too! Yes that would be amazing if you can visit someday!

[@janasybrandy6525]

I loved this episode as well as the 3D tour! I adore all of those beautiful windows! I see the peeling paint, and I so want to come as scrape it off and bring the walls back to life! I can't wait to see more progress! Thank you for sharing it with us!

[@HopwoodXIV]

Great to hear Jana! Thank you! 😀

[@jorgeodelar974]

I feel very proud of the volunteer women helping restore this wonderful manor.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Jorge, I will let them know! Yes they are very dedicated!!

[@JoeFindsTreasures]

Vandals make me sick 🤮 I love restoration work

[@HopwoodXIV]

I know it is so incredibly saddening to see all the damage done by the vandals but we will get the Hall back to her former glory!

[@JoeFindsTreasures]

@@HopwoodXIV 🙏🏻🙌🏻 I wish I could help. It looks like my kind of fun. I see that peeled paint and just wana grind, sand, and paint it all up 😂

[@HopwoodXIV]

@@JoeFindsTreasures haha yes we could use your help!! 😀

[@CultgentlemanJack]

Can not wait to see more progress on Hopwood Hall it’s so beautiful such a treasure.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you so much Andrew!

[@jameskyle380]

Such an amazing place. So glad that the wood panelling, doors and carvings have survived. Very sad that people break in to cause damage to such beautifully hand crafted items. Really loved the tour. The roof looks amazing, loved the colours of the stone slates and the rebuilt/repointed chimneys. Are you going to use any of the fireplaces? The swimming pool on the roof looks a bad. Another section to do. Lovely to see the original entrance and the volunteers/friends of H.H are doing an amazing job. So lovely to see it's re-awakening.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks James!

[@heatherread6058]

Thanks Hopwood, for a fantastic tour. Love seeing all the hand carvings and features of this beautiful place. How amazing must it have looked in its day. Love from South Australia 🇦🇺 ❤

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Heather! Hello to South Australia!! 😀

[@rostallar4243]

Love the tour of this beautiful grand old lady. Looking forward to watching the restoration of her.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you!

[@CrankyBeach]

If it wasn't one HECK of a commute from Monterey, I'd be over there volunteering.

[@ManWhoLovesTheMary]

They’ve been tours in previous videos - like that 360 one, which was totally rad. But I feel like this one really gave me a comprehensive guide with new insights of all the different spaces that gives me a firm understanding of this magnificent place.

[@HopwoodXIV]

cheers Matthew- great to hear!

[@jeanburgin160]

So sad this lovely place it is so sad that Hopwood Hall was abandoned for years. I know your family must be so proud of you for restoring this awesome place. I love this massive door!!! So neat to have the small door within the door. Yes the concrete is bad ... so glad how considerate you all are restoring your ancestral home. Wow, love the door and chapel is awesome. This garden wall is amazing, so different! Love how the local community/garden club are helping with the grounds. Beautiful! This has been an awesome tour, many thanks to you for sharing and I'm so happy you are restoring this amazing and beautiful property. All the best to you. God Bless you.

[@jeffmeyer9319]

The roof is looking amazing!

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Jeff!

[@RighteousReverendDynamite]

Excellent tour and a lot of progress so far. Slowly but surely , room by room, it's gettin' done! The builders and instructors and gardeners and other volunteers deserve a big pat on the back/ or shoulder chuck!

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you! Yes we are so lucky to have such a dedicated and passionate team!

[@GregoryHopwood]

"By Degrees" your efforts and those of the community will yield the transformation we can imagine in our minds. I feel blessed to see our family's home arise from ruin. Thank you, Hopwood.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Cheers Greg! Your support is very much appreciated!

[@CarolMartin-xm1ri]

Wonderful --- hoping you will have an internal shop including tee shirts - By Degrees By DePrees et al

[@Tawadeb]

We want the T shirt!!!! Excellent slogan.

[@charlottemuller2233]

You are not alone!❤

[@martinwinther6013]

holy eff.. if you can preserve just half of whats left, then you have done humanity a great service

[@HopwoodXIV]

cheers Martin!

[@merriestar4115]

Fabulous video and documentation of this gargantuan and painstaking restoration project! Kudos to you, the talented artisans, tradespeople, and legion of community volunteers who provided all the hours of service to make this effort such a vital and noteworthy success! One additional thought struck me while watching your video. The vandalism that Hopwood Hall has suffered and has endured over these past several years makes one very sad. It is not a victimless crime and born out of boredom and a sense of hopelessness, without regard to any significance or sense of one’s purpose in our world. If there is any connections or outreach to the juvenile criminal justice system in the UK that this project could make will potentially offer young people who have committed these types of crimes a genuine opportunity to be part of a “restorative” solution to their community at large. What an amazing gift for everyone! Thank you again for sharing this amazing journey!

[@charlottemuller2233]

So appreciate you and the restoration!❤

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you Charlotte!

[@deborahingles9392]

Such an amazingly tremendous venture that everyone has undertaken thus far bringing this magnificent gem of heritage back to life - well done to everyone and thank you for the grand tour of the dedication of the work done thus far cheers Debz from Oz

[@darant2249]

So worth the work to restore . Still Beautiful

[@HopwoodXIV]

😀

[@brittineaemperor6960]

Amazing Architectural features and history! The works that have been hand carved throughout the estate are absolutely stunning. Keep up the great work restoring this treasured estate Hopwood.

[@napili00]

Such progress made Hopwood, and yet so much to do. You are the savior of Hopwood Hall! Keep hoping that you can create a living quarters and move in soon; however I would stay out of the cellars at night! Creepy down there with more than a few spirits lingering perhaps? Richard

[@joelcole8950]

WOW amazing! Lots of love needed…

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you so much! Absolutely 😀

[@paulaharris4667]

Hopwood I love seeing your videos and the process you and all the people that have helped bring back Hopwood Hall!!❤

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Paula!! 😀

[@bridgetmorse9395]

I think it would be outstanding as a movie set. Amazing property. So lucky you found it again!

[@rebeccaparkin5220]

It's amazing how you have just kept going Hopwood, you'll get there in the end.

[@HopwoodXIV]

@@rebeccaparkin5220 Thank you Rebecca!

[@nelleg152]

Great video I live in Manchester so can't wait to see it in person ❤

[@HopwoodXIV]

😀

[@paige37914]

Awesome tour --thank you! Who is the guy on the left side of the chair at minute 24:34? He looks like you, Hopwood!

[@guyprot-zq1dz]

Merci, visite magnifique 😊😊😊

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you!! 😊

[@mattrishton]

What a beautiful place; I visited 20 yr ago but never guessed it's real splendour; I need to share this with my friend John Hopwood.

[@HopwoodXIV]

cheers Matt

[@ej12349]

You are doing an amazing job bringing your historic family home back to life! Looking forward to seeing it all restored and breathing again!

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you EJ!

[@vickiwood4450]

What a treasure on this beautiful masterpiece mansion. I know you are proud bringing this home to life .

[@danielsalem7624]

Nice progress well done. Iam looking forward to see sometime you finsh the project.

[@HopwoodXIV]

cheers Daniel!

[@cherylmcnair5594]

A nice walk down memory lane Hopwood, what a magnificent story and lifes work to see through, and all those wonderful local residents that have a story to tell about their ancestors working there at the hall 😊

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you so much, Cheryl! 😊

[@mjkay8660]

I do remember seeing a video where are these kids were romping through hopwood Hall before you got there and they took the family crest off the fireplace

[@HopwoodXIV]

Oh that is so incredibly frustrating

[@ronnieroo227]

Much love from your friends at Arley Hall. ❤

[@connievanlewe7762]

Thank you for the grand tour. You all have done so much already. Restoring this beautilful estate is important for the future. You must be so pride to see the estate slowy getting back in it's original state. Keep up the good work.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you so much! 😀

[@spicypdx]

Wow what a huge difference, so much cleanup work has been done! Fabulous

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Shanda!

[@gonerustic]

Fabulous - thank you!

[@HopwoodXIV]

😀

[@kcharles9153]

I’ll be sure to stop by next time I’m in the neighborhood!! Greetings from Holland, MI! 😁

[@sandracuthbert1217]

This is a huge huge project. 😮

[@HopwoodXIV]

Haha yes indeed but fortunately we have a lot of amazing help! 😀

[@trevortrevortsr2]

It's so wonderful to see the place renovated - It seems to have deteriorated so much since the late 1970's - Back then many of the rooms facing the sunken rosegarden were sealed off including the courtyard - I guess once water gets in and there is no heat, the dampness gets in everywhere - The renovated roof looks amazing

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Trevor!

[@kathsmith4924]

the servants quarters has come on enormously inside and out 🙂 the garden this year will come to life after the planting

[@LisaHopwood-e4s]

Gosh Hopwood, where to start?! It’s all so beautiful my mind is officially blown 😍 Superb filming too, all those close-ups of that gorgeous woodwork 🥰 You’re so lucky to have this opportunity, but really it’s the Hall that’s fortunate to have your (and the community’s) protection and vision for the future. Great work, are you going to try your hand at stonemasonry next?! 🥰❤️

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you!! Haha yes stone masonry does sound quite intriguing to me!! 😀

[@LisaHopwood-e4s]

I wouldn’t put anything past you! 😂

[@patriciafoley1494]

What a beautiful property just filled with so much history. I like the way you talk about your “house”. So much respect and positive energy moving towards fixing your family home. Post more videos if possible it’s so interesting.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Patricia!

[@luke250829]

Loved that. Didn't realize how many other buildings surround the hall, what are their purposes? Be great to see a site map..

[@bingbongmcgee]

How awesome it must feel to have found your family legacy and have the ability to restore it! I hope one day I can find where my family originated. Genealogy sites help a bit but I still have quite a ways to go! Probably don't have a castle of my own but hopefully someday I can at least walk the lands which my ancestors once took care of.

[@LFH55]

I have been watching the videos since the channel premiered or I became aware of the channel. What has been accomplished is amazing. I remember the early videos and thinking oh how I hope Hopwood Hall can be saved. There is still so much left to do, but so much has been done. It is amazing what one person with a passion and a lot of support can accomplish. Like another person commented, it does indeed take a village to restore the estate. I enjoyed this video very much.

[@tjbren576]

A very cool walk around and history lesson - thank you!

[@HopwoodXIV]

cheers TJ!

[@WaKincaid]

This is an educational reality check, the magi sty is coming back, your Ancestors must be cheering you on.

[@susannebrunberg4174]

I was suggested this video, and it is a pleasure to see someone so enthusiastically started to renovate an ancient family building. Good luck in the future, it will be interesting to follow the development of the project.

[@HopwoodXIV]

@@susannebrunberg4174 Thanks so much Susan! 😀

[@TheDoodla]

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing this wonderful, historic building ❤️

[@HopwoodXIV]

😀

[@myownlittlehouse471]

Thank you so much for this detailed tour! What an amazing structure -- such excellent work! You've pulled all these people together to save something rare and unique.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you so much!

[@janeboyce3353]

Fabulous tour , such good works you are all doing . I can’t believe how far you have come . The garden is looking amazing xxx

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Jane! 😀

[@petemoss1951]

Fantastic tour! Thank you so much!

[@alzi4588]

Loved your book. How fun to watch the videos and see the pages of your book come alive.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you Alzi! Great to hear!!

[@BryanMecklenburg]

Fantastic video! It is amazing how much you and all of the volunteers have accomplished. You are fortunate to have such a great team. - Bryan in Hudsonville

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you so much, Bryan! 😀

[@TheAngry-AmericanGuy]

COMPLETELY AMAZING PLACE, MR HOPWOOD! I KNOW YOU ARE PROUD, I WOULD DUDE! : ) you seem like a good guy, hope to somehow meet you and visit the place? I am 1/4 English and 1/4 Scottish....I need to find myself there someday

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you@@TheAngry-AmericanGuy! That would be great. Hopefully we will be open again for visitors in the not too distant future! cheers

[@briteyez99]

absolutely beautiful

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you!! 😀

[@alanseviour7346]

Thank you for taking on the daunting job of restoring this wonderful building. I love watching your KZbin videos. Can we see more of the restoration please.

[@jennagriffith9016]

Amazing tour! I just subscribed to the channel a few days ago. I wasn't expecting the bit about the groovy nightclub, but I love it. What a huge swath of history!

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks@@jennagriffith9016 !

[@ajadrew]

Excellent video! Good to see early photos as well for comparison 👍

[@HopwoodXIV]

cheers Andrew!

[@ajadrew]

@@HopwoodXIV👍

[@alive286]

can't wait to see more done, and good luck .. so far everything is looking amazing :-)

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you!

[@nicholasconnor2871]

Wow! Beautiful! Thanks for a great tour!😮

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks so much, Nicholas! 😀

[@kristind1110]

This was a wonderful tour! I have been following your video journey all along, but this particular video was so lovingly put together and thorough. I really got a much better appreciation for the massive amount of detailed carvings within the entire property, just gorgeous and stunning to realize all that work was done by hand, so long ago. You are so lucky to have this in your family, and Hopwood Hall is so lucky that you have taken such an interest! It's really amazing what you have accomplished so far, and kudos to you and your many, many helpers! I'm lucky to be along for the ride, it's a real treat.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks so much Kristin! It's great to hear from you!! 😀❤

[@patriciakeogh5008]

Omgoodness what wonderful place, so much to do. I’m so pleased your bringing it back to it’s former glory 😊

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Patricia!

[@robertmdaniels]

An amazing journey for you and the estate!

[@HopwoodXIV]

Definitely! Thanks so much, Robert!

[@happygrandma5637]

Seems like I have not seen a lot of this before. I don't remember seeing the I think it's a hunting scene around 29:55. I wish you'd do these more often. I can really see the progress from the 1st.

[@paulmoran3482]

Wonderful 👌

[@marieseaward9891]

That was soooo good... Thanks hopwood... Great to see how the hall is coming on.... Congratulations to everyone who has been involved❤

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you Marie! 😀

[@BruceHays]

Really fascinating to see so many details that haven't been shown before! Keep up the great work, Hopwood!

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Bruce!

[@pollykent2100]

What a wonderful thing you are doing, working with the community to restore such a historic place! I actually got a little misty-eyed at one point during the video, thinking about the history there. Please keep up the good work.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you Polly! ❤️

[@cherylwood5202]

A wonderful update! The work that has been done is awe inspiring. Every time I see a new video I think how wonderful it would be to live there and be a part of the community efforts in helping restore the hall.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Cheryl!!

[@JeffTigerThomas]

I love to see the progress on this project. Please keep the videos coming, I can't get enough of this.

[@HopwoodXIV]

cheers Jeff! Thanks for watching- more to come!

[@SarahHovley]

Beautifully done!!!! Love to see all of the details and get my bearings on what is where. Wish I lived nearby to pitch in! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@kaycetaylor9365]

Hi Hopwood from Seattle, WA

[@HopwoodXIV]

Hello Kayce and to all in Seattle!

[@arlysdavis3694]

Great tour. I read your book and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you Arlys!

[@grumpyone5963]

Thanks for a very interesting tour of this once fabulous building. I love the history and like to imagine the hustle and bustle of the building of such a place. All materials arriving by horse and cart, countless men offloading big oak beams etc. I wish you well on this project and subbed.

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thank you so much!

[@ellenmadsen7308]

Have been watching you since the start. It’s amazing how much you have accomplished. Is the roof completed? How much is left to finish if it’s not? What is the order of go for interior projects? Are there any times for completion of the various rooms and spaces?Bravo, Brava to all you dedicated workers. Job well done!

[@fabstenor]

Well done!

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Fabio!

[@jenellebrophy7055]

Just finished all the videos on here. ❤ them. Hopwood, you have such a pleasant and fun way about you! Are there going to be more videos available on this channel?

[@HopwoodXIV]

Thanks Jenelle! ❤ Yes more will be coming on this channel as soon a possible. We also have a Patreon channel with more day to day posts a few times a week

[@sondrabrown442]

Really enjoyed the tour, thanks Hopwood!

[@HopwoodXIV]

😀❤