The original hall belonged to the Woodrove (or Woodruff) family who sold it to the Wentworth family in 1559.   The present building was built about 1635, a Jacobean Hall that has since been added to quite substantially.

The main additions were carried out around 1800 by the architect  Sir Jeffry Wyatville (1766 - 1840). Born plain Jeffry Wyatt he was employed by George IV to remodel Windsor Castle for which he earned a knighthood in 1828 and the distinctive suffix "ville" to distinquish him from his uncle of the same name. Wyattville specialised in period restorations and additions to historic mansions which included, amongst many others, Chatsworth House and Longleat House. He also worked on another local house - Bretton Hall.

The grounds were landscaped about the same time as the Hall was being renovated. The work was carried out by garden and landscape designer John Webb (1754-1828), and included wooded pleasure grounds, a haha, a kitchen garden and ponds.

The Hall was eventually sold by the Wentworth family in 1947 and acquired by the local authority. In 1952 it began a new life as a residential college.

Part of the grounds have become a golf course and the Hall, now owned by Wakefield Council, is mainly used for conferences and weddings.  

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Note: Woolley Hall is a working building and, consequently, is not open to the public.  

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