In 1848 Cliffe Hall was bought by the Butterfield family, they extended the grounds from 20 to 300 acres. Henry Isaac Buttterfield began a building programme which was completed in 1883. This work transformed the old Hall, an Elizebethan manor house, into a large rambling Tudor castle and in 1878 was renamed Cliffe Castle. Keighley Corporation bought Cliffe Castle in 1949. It was in such a bad state of repair that it was not until 1955, following much refurbishment, that it was opened to the general public.