the town and the Old Hall became unoccupied. It remained in the family and was used for a variety of purposes. Architecturally the Old Hall has changed very little over the years. It is principally a timber framed building, giving a characteristic 'striped' or 'black and white' appearance. On the north east corner is a brick tower. A splendid view of the town is available after a fifty-nine step climb to the top. Today, the Hall with its elaborate timber roof survives, with a kitchen which is possibly the most complete medieval kitchen in England. The kitchen still contains many original features, including two open fireplaces, each large enough to roast an ox, and two bread ovens served by a third chimney. The tower of the Old Hall is supposedly haunted by the Grey Lady, thought to be the daughter of the Lord of the Manor who fell in love with a poor soldier and planned to elope with him. Her father discovered the plan and locked her away in the tower where she died from a broken heart. According to local legend the girl's spirit still wanders the tower, endlessly waiting for her lover to arrive. The house was looked after from 1949 by a volunteer group, The Friends of the Old Hall (FOHA), who saved the building and first opened it to the public. Sir Edmund Bacon gave it to the nation in 1970. The house is now owned by English Heritage and is open to the public as a museum. It is listed as Grade I for Heritage Protection. The Friends organisation still exists, and provides volunteer guides and other expertise. References Literature Lindley P. (ed), (1991), Gainsborough Old Hall, Occasional Papers in Lincoln Archaeology and History, No.8. Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology, External links Official Gainsborough Old Hall Website Official information on admissions, events and history Gainsborough Old Hall – official site at English Heritage Exterior and interior photos of Gainsborough Old Hall on geograph English Heritage sites in Lincolnshire Country houses in Lincolnshire Grade I listed buildings in Lincolnshire Grade I listed museum buildings Houses completed in the 15th century Historic house museums in Lincolnshire Gainsborough, Lincolnshire