Half-term is coming up, and you'll no doubt be looking for fun things to do with the family to keep the kids occupied.
The National Trust has hundreds of grounds and buildings all over the UK, and these fantastic properties are all within a short drive of Merseyside. So pack up the car, grab the kids and get exploring.
National Trust properties charge a small amount to enter but it is free for members. Membership costs £64.80 per year for a single membership, £108 per year for a joint membership and £114.60 for a family membership.
You can sign up to a membership package here.
Speke Hall, Garden and Estate
Speke, Liverpool L24 1XD
A glorious 16 century Tudor manor house surrounded by Victorian gardens and set on the banks of the River Mersey with wonderful views to the Welsh hills beyond. Uncover Tudor secrets, play billiards on the Victorian billiard table or disappear into the Victorian maze. Guided tours available.
Open: Weds – Sat until 2 November then weekends until 14 Dec.
Events to look out for:
Halloween Horrors (29 Oct – 2 Nov)
Victorian themed Christmas weekends (29/30 Nov, 6/7 & 13/14 Dec).
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/spekehall
Rufford Old Hall,
Nr Ormskirk, Lancashire L40 1SG
One of Lancashire’s finest Tudor buildings with fantastic Great Hall where a young William Shakespeare is reputed to have performed. Daily house talks, children's trails and outdoor Games.
Open: Sun – Weds until 29 October then weekends until 21 Dec.
Events to look out for:
Halloween – creepy trails around the house and garden – 26 – 31 October
Lancashire Day, 29 November, A Magical Family Christmas, weekends 6/7, 13/14 & 20/21 Dec.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ruffordoldhall
Dunham Massey
Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4SJ
A wonderful Georgian house, this season Dunham Massey has been transformed into its First World War role as the Stamford Military Hospital which was home to over 300 ‘tommies’ between 1917 and 1919. The hospital rooms have been recreated using authentic records, photographs and objects from the time and the Stamford family’s collection.
Open: Sun – Weds (house) until 11 November; Winter Garden open daily (except Christmas Day).
Events to look out for:
Halloween – Spooky Stories in the Dairy (28/29 Oct)
The Wartime Kitchen – make crackers and traditional decorations in Dunham’s historic kitchen (29/30 Nov).
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunhammassey
Quarry Bank Mill, Garden & Estate
Styal, Nr Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4LA
Discover the story of the Industrial Revolution at this 18 century cotton mill. See Europe’s largest water wheel, explore the Victorian Apprentice House where child labourers who worked at the mill lived, and take a walk in Quarry Bank’s 18 century garden in the valley of the River Bollin.
Open: daily until 2 November, then Weds – Sun until 31 Dec (closed 24 & 25 Dec).
Events to look out for:
Halloween: Spooky Tours of the Mill, 25 & 26 October (suitable 12 + years)
Victorian Christmas Weekends, 6/7 and 13/14 December
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarrybankmill
Lyme Park, House & Garden
Disley, Nr Stockport SK12 2NR
Lyme Park is set on the edge of the Peak District surrounded by moorland and with wonderful views across to Manchester and the Cheshire Plain. The mansion starred as ‘Pemberley’ in the 1995 TV adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ starring Colin Firth.
Go on the Pemberley Trail, try outdoor adventures in Crow Wood Playscape or wander around inside this magnificent house and enjoy tea in our Edwardian Tea Room.
Open: Fri – Tues (house and garden) until 26 Oct, then weekends until 28 Dec. Park open dall year.
Events to look out for:
Halloween: Lyme Park Frightfest! (25 Oct – 2 Nov)
Winter Exhibition ‘Take a Trip to the Roaring Twenties’ opens 1 Nov, then weekends until mid Feb 2015.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lymepark
Little Moreton Hall
Nr Congleton, Cheshire CW12 4SD
Tudor architecture at its quirkiest makes Little Moreton Hall a wonderful place to visit. Get a taste of Tudor life with a free guided tour and enjoy Tudor family games and trails. Renowned tea room offers delicious home made cakes, afternoon teas and warming soups.
Open: daily until 2 November, then weekends until 21 December.
Events to look out for:
Halloween: Listen to spooky stories for Tudor Hallowtide (daily 25 Oct – 2 Nov)
Tudor Yuletide weekends, 6/7, 13/14 & 20/21 Dec – Jester, music and storytelling at Little Moreton Hall which is decorated for a Tudor Yuletide.
