Speke Hall is a tudor manor house 2 miles from Liverpool South Parkway train station. Administered and financed by the National Trust and so the Hall, Gardens and Estate have a full calendar of events, including activities during school holidays, open-air theatre, festive celebrations, customed guided tours, roof tours, waymarked woodland trails, children's play area and quiz trails. I arrived at the hall on a really hot sunning day and enjoyed the ride down the long drive as I approached the house. There isn't much shade in the car park, so if it's hot your car will get baked. Anyway car parked and I hear the roar of an aeroplane landing. I took a tour around the house before it opened to the public. It was great to have someone tell you about the hall rather than having to read through all of the room guides. The hall inside has lots of dark furniture (as per the period) and the windows don't let in much light. But overall the house is really elegant. From the outside the house looks huge but inside you don't get to see all of the rooms as some are closed off. After the tour I took a walk to the estuary viewpoint. It was great being so close to the airport runway. Then round to the south and moat garden which are very relaxing, as people sit out and eat their lunch. The restaurant has loads of fresh produce and I enjoyed a sandwich and jam and cream scone. read more

Speke Hall - Picture from http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-spekehall - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Liverpool, XMS

Speke Hall is one of the most famous half-timbered houses in Britain and is owned by the National Trust. During a guided tour, through Tudor and Victorian times, helps bring to life the rich interiors and history of this magnificent building. It gives you the opportunity to stroll in the beautiful landscaped gardens and enjoy extensive woodland walks. There is even an adventure playground that children will adore. The Hall has a home farm restaurant which serves home-made produce too. I have not tried their food but the restaurant was busy when I walked past and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. One mysterious fact I love about the Hall, is that it is known to have a spooky past - one of the main reasons I visited there! The building did have an eerie feel about it and I will never forget that experience. read more

Speke Hall - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Liverpool, XMS

Speke Hall has an unusual setting: hidden away in a suburb of Liverpool, its tranquillity is shattered by its alarming proximity to Liverpool Airport. And yet, approached via a long avenue and surrounded by a screen of mature trees and lovely gardens and parkland, it is also a delight to visit. Just don't look up The Hall itself was built by the Norris family, over a period from 1490 to 1612, replacing an earlier building. It is an outstanding example of a large timber-framed building. The torrid history of the Norrises is interesting in itself, for both as Catholics and Royalists they were constantly on the wrong side of the authorities. After the death of the last heir in the early 18th century, the house and estate passed through various hands, until acquired by the National Trust in 1943. Most of the interior is open to the public, and includes a Great Hall, Great Parlour, dining rooms, a library, gun room, billiard room, servants' quarters, kitchen and numerous bedrooms. All are set around a cobbled internal courtyard. The decoration and furnishings reflect various periods from its building to the Victorian era. There is a 'Priest's Hole' to hide Catholic priests from the authorities, fine Jacobean furniture and ceilings, William Morris wallpaper and a superb Victorian kitchen. The nearby Home Farm buildings have been turned into a shop, restaurant and education centre. The Hall also has a marriage licence: what a splendid setting for a wedding! read more

This place is lovely and everything but I can't fathom why they built it so close to the airport. What were those Tudors thinking? Ho ho ho, aren't I just the funniest? No, I'm not. That joke is probably older than powered flight. Speke Hall is something all locals should be proud of. We may have knocked down the city's castle and live in a place with almost no surviving Medieval architecture but so long as this fine Tudor manor remains, we haven't lost all our connections with the early city that blossomed so long ago. Many is the time I've been here and forgotten it isn't in somewhere like South Sussexshire-on-Tweed. Nope, it's by the freaking Mersey. It's also chock-full of little nuggets of historical interest. There's the priest holes, where Catholic men of the cloth were concealed during the time they were persecuted, as well as an eavesdrop and a cobbled courtyard containing two Yew trees (called Adam and Eve) that are estimated at being between 500 and 1000 years old. What?! The vast gardens are equally fascinating. You can stumble through a corn maze in the right season or walk right around the back and look down on planes taking off, mere yards from kids on motorbikes. It's a great way to while away the hours. In fact,and the only downside I can think of with the whole set-up is that you can't climb into the priest holes. I reckon they still smell of transubstantiation and the Rosary. read more

Well, if you ever want to freak out your other half, ladies or indeed gentleman of that persuasion, or in fact gentlemen that are more into marriage than their significant others, bring them here. Anybody even remotely commitment-minded won't be able to get the idea of holding a wedding here out of their heads. A National Trust protected feature, Speke Hall is eye candy as far and wide as you can see. With stunning gardens, topiary that's tops, picnic areas and brilliant blooms you'll be gobsmacked before you even enter the place. And then you'll only go and realise that it's a flabbergasting Tudor manor, packed with more history and culture than you can shake a stick at. Full of famous paintings you'll finally get round to viewing after you've drank in the impressive architecture, I'd certainly recommend getting one of the guided tours around here - they're informative and fun and allow you to experience the manor at its fullest. Kids might get a bit fidgety and bored here but it's a treat for history buffs, and if you lean towards the paranormal apparently Speke Hall turned up on Most Haunted a while back. Ooh, spooky. And as I mentioned, the draw to hold big functions here is just too strong - thankfully they have all the necessities with which to plan and hold significant events waiting for you here. It's certainly an experience. read more

I'm not a fan of stately homes to be honest, walking around a house and nosing at its fixtures ad fittings, no matter how old it is, should only be the preserve of Lloyd Grossman. Speke Hall however is one of those national treasures that reminds people that Liverpool was a place of lords and gentlemen as much as dockers and shipbuilders. It is a place I had to visit several times at school as it is a perfectly preserved representation of a Tudor estate and whereas I couldn't really appreciate it then, age must have mellowed me. Whether it is the unique architecture, detailed paintings or finely crafted furniture it is an eye opening step back in time that is still hard to comprehend. However even if this is not you thing, a walk around the grounds on a summer day is rare and beautiful experience for this part of the city. read more

This wonderful building is not what you'd expect to find on the outskirts of Liverpool, right next to the airport and close to the Ford car factory: but it was here first, and everything has grown up around it. It's a little oasis of parkland and history. It's famous for its traditional black and white half timbering, but this isn't a quaint little cottage: this is a fabulous National Trust 'stately home', dating from the late mediaeval to the Tudor and Stuart periods, and steeped in the complex history and religious politics of the time. It's reputedly haunted, of course! A tour encompasses a series of rooms, all decorated with historic art and antique furniture, some of it original. The grounds around are also lovely for a walk, so long as you can tolerate the odd jet from nearby Liverpool Airport. read more

Speke Hall is lovely - we came here for a visit as part of a university residental and were bowled over by the grandeur of the buildings. We had a lot of foreign students with us and it was great showing them a traditional English building. Places like this are definitely worth the annual National Trust membership! The gardens were lovely to walk around in and it was impossible to imagine the airport was next door. There were so many plants to look at on the rolling lawns. There were lots of kids having fun running wild - best to get rid of that energy before entering the historic building and breaking something! read more

This stunning Tudor house is perhaps in quite an odd location, being right next to the airport, however it is a must for picnics in the summer, and you can always watch the planes take off and land from the little hill! I absolutely love this place, everybody makes you feel really welcome and the characters that stalk the gardens and give tours create a great atmosphere! read more

I've got to say I was pleasantly surprised with this place. If you've got the time to have a guided tour around the house then do so; the volunteers are knowledgeable and captivating. I agree with other reviewers who have said that this might not be the most interesting place for the children. I wouldn't recommend taking them round the guided tour as they'll start to fidget. Twin it with a trip to Liverpool City Centre and you've got an excellent day out. read more

A lovely old house and gardens (with a good national trust cafealbeit a tad expensive). Attendants are helpful and knolwedgeable and can often provide interesting insights into the history of the house, its furnishings and surroundings - and even some hidden secrets. The lawn outside the front of the house is also often used as an outdoor performance venue with various outdoor production companies. I went to watch Shakespeare's A Midsummer Nights Dream - it was a quirky interpretation but very enjoyable and entertaining. read more

This is a beautiful building with knowledgeable and lovely volunteer staff to show you around and pass on their knowledge to you. The gardens are absolutely stunning, and on a nice day it's worth bringing a picnic and sitting out to enjoy the sunshine and the surroundings. The amount of free space is also good for kids, who might get bored on the house tour but who'll love the freedom of outside! We liked it so much we got married here, and it was an incredible, wonderful experience. read more

Speke Hall is strikingly beautiful; the original Tudor architecture and aesthetic of the manor has been preserved externally with the archetypal black and white timbering, however the interior presents the Victorian home of the last owner, who left the hall to the National Trust, an amalgamation of eras which is quite remarkable. It is intriguing to think of all of the residents, guests and owners, over the years and the imprint each has left on the hall. The guides allotted throughout the house are very knowledgeable and can provide a wealth of information on the property and its furnishings. There is much to see including the famous priest-holes and newly restored kitchens. Post exploration, the manicured lawns and tasteful topiary make for a very scenic picnic in the grounds of the house. If you can steal away from the hall for an hour or so, take a walk along the footpaths the grounds, while much smaller than they were, are still impressive, with views over the Mersey to Wales. read more

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i lived in speke and therefore locals of speke and garston got a free yearly pass on the production of evidence of address.... a nice place for a picnic, in safe and quiet (when the planes arnt flying past, which is often as next to the airpot) but a great view for plane enthusiast (like my then 2 yr old son) dont know if would have gone if i had to pay as was quite expensive.....xmx read more

This is such a fabulous place to visit. National trust so not cheap but you can happily spend a day here. There is a good children's play area, excellent walk to watch the planes at the airport, great grounds to picnic in, and that's before you even get into the hall. The hall itself is a fantastic piece of history and the guides are a mine of information. You come away having learnt something new every time. Not ideal for small children but perfect for age 7+ read more

This is a great day out if your interested in a bit of culture and picturesque glamour. Maybe not one for all the family, i wouldnt expect young children to be as excited about this place as much as the older and mature among us, though stereotypes are just that! All in all a decent place to visit with some suprises in store for those who look hard enough read more

I went here as my younger cousin was doing a project about the tudors. It really is a lovely place to be, the buildings are interesting and you get to learn some history whilst having fun! The gardens are beautiful too and there is a picnic area, ideal for warm summer days! There is free parking which is a great bonus, though you do have to pay for having a tour of the house. However, I do think it is worth it if you have never visited Speke Hall. There is a cafe too refresh yourself or warm up in the winter, and a small shop for souvenirs. read more

As it was a warm, sunny day in July, we opted to explore the gardens rather than take ourselves inside this magnificent Tudor house. It was my first visit and I'm looking forward to revisiting, perhaps on a less hot day! Driving down the avenue to the house afforded a lovely view of the grounds and house, especially the wild flower meadows. The cafe complex was well-presented, the toilet block very clean and children were enjoying themselves in the maze mine will love it! Food & drink in the cafe was moderately-priced. I enjoy 'taking tea' in NT places, as they offer tasty premises-made local recipes as well as better known ones. The gardens are well-kept, with lots of colour and variety and we took a walk around the perimeter in the woods, then across a wild-flower meadow, where we spent time photographing butterflies and moths which had landed on flower heads. Whilst on the large lawn at the rear of the house, we encountered a very small party being given a guided tour and caught some of the Elizabethan costume clad lady's banter. The only thing which marred the spectacle was her tanned face Mock white lead make up would have given a touch of authenticity. There were two other aerial highlights of our visit the stunning sight of The Red Arrows whizzing past as we sat in the cafe over Earl Grey and cake, and also, of the Vulcan, which the plane-spotters along the prominent viewing path above the bottom end of the adjacent airport were expecting heading for Southport Air Show!! read more

Great day out, i prefer when the weather is nice as i love to walk in the grounds they have magnificent well kept gardens and a woodland area so even if you dont go into the hall itself its still a nice day out and going in the grounds is free too read more

I love this place. I have spent many a happy day here from childhood right up to now (40's) The Hall itself is beautiful and although Tudor it was "updated' by the Watt's in the Victorian age. The Gardens are beautifully landscaped and includes walks through the wood (beautiful when in full bluebell bloom in the spring) and around the Bund (built to protect the hall from the expanding Liverpool Airport) There is now a Giant trail, based on the Giant of Hale, and a maze for the kids too. They also have an outdoor play area for the children. Throughout the year the hall also hosts a great amount go activities and events. On top of all this it is a beautiful place to get married and with the now added Marque they can host receptions and party's. This place has it all for me and my family. read more

Nice place to visit - lovely hall with fancy rooms..apparently it's haunted...but I didn't see any ghosts!!

Ran by the National Trust ,Speke Hall is a fun day out for all the family .It is one of the most famous Tudor manors in Britain.The grounds have fantastic landscaped gardens with beautiful colourful flowers. Free parking and benches to sit and eat a packed lunch..Speke hall can also be hired out for a weddings. read more

Well worth a visit. Lots to see and do and a good place to take children in the summer with a picnic to enjoy in the grounds.

This is a great place to visit but younger children may become bored if you spend the day there. Great for people who appreciate this sort of thing! read more

What a great day out for all. And the cafe is great for all. I totally love this place and miss it now i live in London.