The laundry is one of 21 rooms in the dolls' house Pendle Hall. It was designed and decorated by Felicity Clemons over a forty year period, and each piece of furniture and fixture was handmade by her. She used books and magazines for inspiration, and to achieve a high level of accuracy in the design and execution of each item.

It is a large room in the basement of the house, next to the cellar, which was used to wash, dry and iron clothing, manchester and other textile items used in the household.

In the centre of the room is a large wooden table, containing a number of pieces of linen and clothing. Next to it sit a small and a large woven laundry basket. On the left hand wall is a large wooden trough, with three compartments, containing a wooden washboard and some pieces of linen, and a brass tap in the centre. Above it hangs two wooden dippers. Next to it, in the corner, is a large wooden and metal copper, above which hangs a long metal vent. There is a pile of firewood and two wooden dollys next to the copper.

Along the back wall are a black metal sad iron and a large wooden press, with a set of drawers at the bottom. Above this hang several sets of sock dryers. On the left hand side is a small sash window with a pair of net curtains. A garden view can be seen through the window. On the right hand side is a door to the outside.

On the right hand wall is a wooden clothes airer, and a blue painted wooden chair. A sock dryer hangs on the wall. Attached to the ceiling is a large wooden clothes airer, which can be lowered with a series of pulleys and ropes. On the airer are several items of linen and clothing. Next to it is a small light fitting.

Due to the sunken staircase above it, the room has an irregular shaped ceiling. The floor and walls have the appearance of stone blocks.

More Information