The house built by the Assheton family on the foundations of the Abbott's House at Whalley abbey (after they had purchased Whalley Abbey from the Crown some years after the Dissolution) is now used as a Conference House and Retreat by the Diocese of Blackburn. The Abbott's house was built by Abbott Paslew in the 16th. century and was, in effect, a separate manor house where he lived, having his own servants, and could entertain guests apart from life in the cloister. Use of the Abbey as a private residence passed from the Asshetons, by marriage, in the 18th. century to Sir Nathaniel Curzon, whose grandson, Earl Howe, sold it to John Taylor of Moreton Hall in Whalley. From John Taylor it passed by will to a business partner, John Hargreaves whose son sold it about 1900 to Sir John Travis Clegg. In 1923, the Abbey and grounds were purchased by the Diocese of Manchester, and passed to the newly created Diocese of Blackburn in 1926. With the appointment of Canon J. R. Lumb as first Wardenin 1930, the house became a centre for religious education. Two ground floor rooms were converted to chapels, and a new kitchen was added south of the west wing. It is now used for conferences, retreats, theological training and lectures.