Speke Hall |
||||||||||
|
This romantic black-and-white timbered Tudor mansion captures the very best of "olde England", yet it finds itself in a green oasis on the edge of a modern industrial estate close to Liverpool Airport. Speke Hall is remarkably well preserved as it has just a wooden frame filled with a mud and straw mix known as "wattle and daub".
Speke Hall was built by the Norris family, three generations of which can be seen on the carved overmantel in the great parlour. The family has a long tradition as Members of Parliament for Liverpool. Henry Norris was responsible for much of the building when he inherited the foundations of the project from his father in 1490.
It was continued on by Henry's son,
 |
| Click Photo for Gallery |
The four main buildings surround a cobbled courtyard. Part of the appeal of this historic manor house is the uneven projection of the different facades, like building blocks pushed to and fro in an uneven line. The leaded panes of glass complete the country charm.
Visitors cross the dry moat on an Elizabethan stone bridge and enter the airy house through the studded wooden doors. The main features inside this period home are the "thunderbox" toilet and a priest's hole. There is also an "eavesdrop" where servants could listen to conversations of those awaiting admission to the front door, no doubt to determine whether they were friend or foe.
The interior décor is an eclectic mix with busts of Roman Emperors resting beneath elaborate Jacobean ceilings with pomegranates, roses, lilies and vines carved in the decorative plasterwork. The fluted columns and carved panelling all add to the interest of Speke Hall's interior.
It was the family's Catholic faith which led to them losing the estate after the Civil War and the house was left in a state of neglect. In the late 18th century Richard Watt bought the house
 |
| Click Photo for Gallery |
Leyland was responsible for the lovely William Morris wallpapers which are a special feature of the house. He also entertained the painter and artist James McNeill Whistler at the hall.
The gardens date back to the 1850s and the main features are the two ancient yew trees which flank the entrance. They are known as Adam and Eve and are not quite as old as their namesakes, being only an estimated 500-1000 years old! There are also rose gardens, a stream garden and woodland walks.
After Leyland's tenancy ended, Adelaide Watt set about developing the land around Speke Hall as a farm but unfortunately after her death in 1921, the farm complex was sold and Liverpool airport came into being.
Speke Hall was donated to the National Trust in 1944. It now enjoys plenty of attention as it is the starting point for the local tour around Paul McCartney's roots.
The Home Farm buildings are now used for the National Trust shop, restaurant and reception and the former Dairy has an interesting exhibition.
Walks in the grounds have superb views over the Mersey Estuary and the hills of North Wales, making it worth hearing the noise of the odd jet from the airport.
|
Opening Times
|
|
(2011 times)
House:26th February - 13th March*: 11.00am - 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday. 16th March - 30th October: 11.00am - 5.00pm Wednesday - Sunday. 5th November - 11th December: 11.00am - 4.00pm Saurday and Sunday. Grounds**: 2nd January - 31st December: 11.00am - 5.00pm Tuesday - Sunday. Home Farm – reception, restaurant and shop***: 26th February - 13th March: 11.00am - 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday. 16th March - 24th July: 11.00am - 5.00pm Wednesday - Sunday. 26th July - 6th September: 11.00am - 5.00pm Tuesday - Sunday. 7th September - 30th Octpber: 11.00am - 5.00pm Wednesday - Sunday. 5th November - 11th December : 11.00am - 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday. Please Note: Open Bank Holiday Mondays. *11 to 1, entry to house by guided tour only, restricted numbers, tickets issued on first-come, first-served basis (at peak times tickets for these tours may run out). Unguided viewing of the house from 1 onwards. 26 February to 13 March, some rooms still under case covers, conservation cleaning demonstrations take place during this period. **Grounds (garden and estate) closed 1 January, 24 to 26 December and 31 December. Grounds (garden and estate) open until 5:30 16 March to 30 October. *** Shop closes 30 minutes after reception. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. |
|
Admission Charges
|
|
(2011 prices)
Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets)House, garden and grounds: Adult £8.90 (£7.99); Child £4.40 (£3.99); Family £22.50 (£19.99). Gardens and grounds only: Adult £5.25 (£4.77); Child £2.70 (£2.44); Family £13.20 (£11.98). House upgrade (Standard Admission): Adult £3.25; Child £1.55; Family £8.00. Reduced rates when arriving by bicycle, on foot or public transport |
|
Directions
|
|
By Bus Arriva 80A, Paradise Street Interchange-Liverpool Airport (passing Liverpool South Parkway railway station) and close Liverpool Lime Street); 500 Liverpool Lime Street railway station-Liverpool Airport. All to within 1 mile Cycling NCN62, 1¾ miles. View local cycle routes on the National Cycle Network website By road On north bank of Mersey, 1 mile off A561 by west Liverpool Airport. Follow airport signs from M62 exit 6, A5300; M56 exit 12 By train Liverpool South Parkway 2 miles; Hunt's Cross 2 miles Ordnance survey reference 108:SJ419825 |
| Show map of Speke Hall... |
|
Speke Hall Postcode for SatNav: L24 1XD |
|
National Trust | Estate Agents |
Copyright © 1999-2012 Excelsior Information Systems Limited.
All rights reserved.
Press Room Terms of Use Privacy Link to Us Index Site Map
