Speke Hall, Garden and Estate
Speke Hall is a black-and-white Tudor timber-framed manor house beside the River Mersey in south Liverpool, cared for by the National Trust. Built between 1530 and 1598 by the Norris family, it pairs Tudor rooms and a priest hole with Victorian Arts and Crafts interiors, gardens and bluebell woods.
Photos
Paul Molland
The house
The Great Hall was the first part to be built, in 1530, and Edward Norris finished the north range in 1598. The house still has its priest hole and a dry moat around its red sandstone base. A 19th-century restoration added Victorian Arts and Crafts touches, so a walk through the rooms jumps between Tudor and Victorian taste. The Norris family owned the house for generations before it passed by marriage to the Beauclerks.
Gardens and woodland
The gardens date from the 1850s and are known for rhododendrons. Beyond them the estate opens into woodland, with bluebells in spring, and views towards the Mersey. Much of the appeal is being able to spend time outdoors, so visits work in most seasons.
Planning a visit
Speke Hall is about 9 kilometres from the city centre, close to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, so a car or taxi is easiest. Allow half a day to see the house and walk the grounds. It was named Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at the 2022 Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards. Pair it with Strawberry Field on the way back into the city. Check opening times before setting off, as the house and grounds can keep different hours.
Highlights
- Tudor timber-framed manor built 1530 to 1598
- Priest hole and Great Hall
- Victorian Arts and Crafts interiors
- 1850s gardens, rhododendrons and bluebell woods
Good to know
- The hall is near Liverpool John Lennon Airport, so plan to drive or take a taxi.
- National Trust members go free; check the National Trust site for seasonal opening.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: nationaltrust.org.uk · ipfs.aleph.im