There is no consensus about who owned the hall at the time of its building (1590-1598), but it is likely that they were Roman Catholics as priest holes were discovered during 19th century renovaions. It is known that the Edmondson family were among the original tenants - and that members of the family remained tenants for around 200 years.

Old Hall monk photo

The Lancaster Guardian editions of Sept 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, and Oct 6, 1804 carry an advertisement regarding the Heysham Hall Estate:

Heysham Hall Estate

To be Sold by Auction at the New Inn, in Lancaster, on Monday the 8th day of October 1804 seven o'clock in the evening: All that Mansion or Dwelling-house, called Heysham Hall, with the barns, outbuildings, orchards, and gardens, belonging thereto; and also 87a 1r 6p statute measure, of rich arable, meadow, and pasture land, situate at Heysham, in the county of Lancaster, lying compact, contiguous thereto, and occupied therewith; and now in the possession of Jonas Middleton, as tenant.

The Hall is put up for auction again in 1822 as this notice from the London Gazette from 1822 shows:

To be sold by auction before William Shawe Esq of the Court of Chancery for the County Palatine of Lancaster pursuant to a Decree of the said Court made in a Case Hutchinson v Hind, at the Royal Oak Inn in Lancaster on Monday the 18th day of February next at five o'clock in the evening in the following or such other lots as shall be then and there agreed upon

Lot 1 All that capital messuage or mansion house called Heysham Hall or Wren Hall situate within Heysham near Lancaster with the outbuildings and farm yard the east belonging and 76A IR 15P of arable meadow and pasture land statute measure or thereabouts in the occupation of Joseph Procter as tenant thereof

Lot 2 All that complete and most desirable family situate in Heysham late the property of Mr Philip Hind deceased and 9A 36P statute measure of arable meadow and pasture land adjoining the same ...

It is possible that Thomas Rawsthorne the property at the 1822 auction, since at the time of the Tithe Map (1838) the Tithe Schedule lists the owner of Wren Hall as Thomas Rawsthorne of Heysham Hall, a solicitor in Lancaster, and the occupier as Thomas Pennington.

In 1854 the Old Hall was bought by Rev John Royds in 1857 and extensively renovated and expanded by Rev C T Royds in 1887/88. It was occupied by members of the Royds family until 1955/56. It was then sold to the brewers William Mtichell’s and opened as a pub in 1958 .

Mitchells ran the Old Hall as a pub until the brewery fell into administration in 2018. After being sold it re-opened and still operates as a pub

 

Sources