Speke Hall

Speke Hall is a black-and-white timber-framed Tudor manor house on the banks of the Mersey at The Walk, Speke, in south Liverpool, England. Begun around 1530 by the Norris family, the hall is one of the finest surviving examples of a wooden-framed Tudor house in the north of England, with a central courtyard and a Great Hall featuring carved oak and a heavy beamed ceiling. Later centuries added Victorian interiors in the Arts and Crafts style, which now give visitors a contrast between Tudor architecture and nineteenth-century domestic life, including a servants' quarters, kitchen and bedrooms. The house is cared for by the National Trust. Outside, formal gardens, a rose garden, a stream and woodland trails lead through the estate, and a path runs along the river towards the Mersey shore. Families can use a play area, and the stableyard has a cafe and shop. A visit usually takes two to three hours, depending on how much of the grounds are covered. Spring and summer weekdays are quietest, and weekends and school holidays bring families. The house is typically open Wednesday to Sunday between about 10:00 and 17:00 in season, with reduced days in winter, so check the National Trust website before travelling. Adult admission is around GBP 14-18, free for National Trust members, with lower prices for children. Photography is generally permitted in the grounds and many rooms, though flash may be restricted. The hall is close to Liverpool John Lennon Airport and reached from Liverpool South Parkway by buses 80 or 82, around 20 minutes. Walkers can follow the trails between the woodland and riverside views of the Wirral.