Worden Old Hall

Worden Old Hall is a manor house that likely dates from the late 16th century to the early 17th century. It is primarily timber-framed but has been refronted partly in stone and largely in brick at two different times around 1800. The building has two storeys and originally featured a rectangular plan with seven bays, creating three rooms with a through-passage. Later, it was extended along the front under four gables, with the second gable from the left containing a round-headed porch that leads to the passage. The house has 19th and 20th-century windows and a slate roof from the 20th century.

Inside, much of the original timber framing remains, especially in the upper storey rooms, which feature chamfered ceiling beams and internal partitions with simplified four-centre doorcases. The back wall and part of the original front wall, now partially obscured by the extension, show traces of herring-bone framing at the parlour end and quatrefoil panels around the front door. The main fireplace has a chamfered four-centre arch and a double cornice of brick chevrons leading to the through-passage.

Historically, Worden Old Hall was the original residence of the Faringtons of Worden, who were Lords of the Manor of Leyland. William Farington (1537-1610), who served as the comptroller of the household for the Earls of Derby, is thought to have inspired Shakespeare's character Malvolio. Although the building is currently in a superficially poor condition, it remains one of the very few sub-medieval timber-framed gentry houses in the county.