Longlands Hall was built in 1884 for Edwin Robbinson Merral, Worsted manufacturer, second son of Micheal Merral of Law House. He moved to Longlands Hall with his wife and seven children from Cliffe Cottage. The House was built with windows still visible today, depicting citrus fruits, carved stair case, balustrade and moulded ceilings. Each room retains its original and unique marble fireplace. The Merral family left Longlands Hall at the start of the First World War, after the death of Edwin and his son Phillip.
1920 – 1945
After the Merral family left Longlands Hall, during the First World War, little is known until Mr Inglis bought the house in the early 1920s. Many local people can remember the garden parties, dances and visits to sing at Christmas. The lnglis family left shortly after the Second World War. A Mr Paley bought the house, hoping to turn it into a hotel but was frustrated by the outbreak of war. A Bradford Building Society used most of the house for offices, while the family lived in the remaining part. Mr Paley died shortly after the war and the house was once again sold.
1945 - 1973
After the Second World War, the purchased by Heald Brothers, who converted it for use as a immigrant mill girls. Heald Brothers stopped using Longlands Hall in the late 1960s. A development company bought the house and the surrounding land which quickly fell into disrepair. The house was for a short time converted to an old persons’ home before being quickly put up for sale once more.
1973 – 1976
ln December 1973, a letter from a local policeman to Yorkshire Regional Offices sparked off YHA's interest in the property. After long negotiations and promises of grants from the West Yorkshire County Council and the Countryside Commission, the purchase was completed in 1974. A major conversion began in March 1975.
