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Berwick-upon-Tweed

Lindisfarne Castle

Giant’s Causeway Carrick-a-Rede Cragside

Downhill Coleraine Demesne and Hezlett House Morpeth Wallington LONDONDERRY Blyth Seaton Delaval Hall Whitley Bay Tynemouth Newcastle Upon Tyne M2 Souter Lighthouse Jarrow and The Leas Ballymena Cherryburn Gateshead Gray’s Printing Larne Gibside Sunderland Press Carlisle Consett Washington Old Hall

Houghton le Spring M22 Patterson’s M6 Springhill Spade Mill Carrickfergus Durham M2 Newtownabbey Brandon Peterlee Wellbrook Cookstown Bangor Beetling Mill Wordsworth House Spennymoor Divis and the A1(M) Hartlepool BELFAST Black Mountain Newtownards Workington Bishop Auckland Mount Aira Force Appleby-in- Redcar and Ullswater Westmorland Stewart Stockton- Middlesbrough M1 Whitehaven on-Tees The Argory Strangford Ormesby Hall Craigavon Lough Darlington Ardress House Rowallane Sticklebarn and Whitby Castle Portadown Garden The Langdales Coole Castle Armagh Ward Wray Castle Florence Court Beatrix Potter Gallery M6 and Hawkshead Murlough Northallerton Crom Steam Yacht Gondola Hill Top Kendal Hawes Rievaulx Scarborough Sizergh Terrace Newry

Nunnington Hall Ulverston

Barrow-in-Furness Bridlington Fountains A1(M) Lancaster Knaresborough Beningbrough Hall M6 Harrogate Buildings and Gardens Skipton Treasurer’s House Coast and Countryside Ilkley All places shown are listed in this Middlethorpe Hall printed guide. Places in green have Keighley Yeadon Tadcaster Beverley a limited offer, and are listed at the East Riddlesden Hall end of each section. Shipley Gawthorpe Hall Nelson Leeds Garforth M55 Selby 0 10 20 miles Preston M621 Kingston Upon Hull M65 Bradford M62 Lytham St Anne's Castleford 0 10 20 30 kilometers Todmorden Halifax Batley Leyland Brighouse M62 Pontefract Goole Rufford Old Hall Wa d Nostell M18 M62 M6 M66 Thorne Immingham M61 Hemsworth Scunthorpe North West Bury M181 Standish M1 Cleethorpes Middleton M60 M180 Barnsley M58 Doncaster Crosby St Helens M62 Bootle Stocksbridge M67 A1(M) Wallasey Sale Glossop Rotherham M60 Gainsborough M60 M62 Dunham Massey Birkenhead Shef eld Louth Bodysgallen Widnes Warrington Quarry Llandudno Hall M53 Runcorn M56 Bank Mr Straw’s Holyhead Conwy Suspension Bridge Tatton Park Worksop House Colwyn Bay Prestatyn Hall Wilmslow M1 Retford Aberconwy House Rhyl Frodsham Knutsford Lyme M56 Nether Dron eld Staveley Conwy Abergele Ellesmere Port Alderley Mill Bangor Flint Northwich Clumber Park d Lincoln Plas Newydd Penrhyn M6 Gunby Estate Castle Bodnant Garden Chester Congleton Cross Mans eld Monksthorpe Chapel Biddulph Grange Matlock Hardwick Little Moreton Hall Garden Sutton in Ash eld Leek The Workhouse Tattershall Tyˆ Mawr Crewe Kirkby in Kidsgrove Ash eld Newark-on-Trent Castle Wybrnant Nantwich Wrexham Ripley Newcastle- Belper Erddig Stoke-on-trent Ashbourne Hucknall under-Lyme Boston Sheringham Park

Kedleston Hall Ilkeston M1 Nottingham Chirk Castle Belton House Sudbury Derby Beeston Grantham Plas yn Stone Uttoxeter Felbrigg Hall Rhiw Hall Long Eaton Oswestry Woolsthorpe Blickling Estate Burton upon Trent Spalding King's Stafford Melton Manor Loughborough Mowbray Lynn Newport Shugborough Estate M6 Heigham Holmes Rugeley Attingham Ashby-de- Dereham Shrewsbury Park la-Zouch Sunnycroft Cannock d Coalville Wisbech Norwich Stamford Swaffham Great Yarmouth Telford M54 M6 M42 Elizabethan Powis Castle TOLL Brownhills Peckover Downham House Museum Wightwick Tamworth Leicester House Benthall Moseley Old Hall Peterborough Market Hall Manor Walsall Sutton Wolverhampton Hinckley March Oxburgh Hall Bridgnorth Lowestoft West Bromwich M6 M69 Carding Nuneaton Dudley Birmingham Mill Valley Market Corby and the Dudmaston Halesowen Birmingham Bedworth Back to Backs Harborough Thetford Aberystwyth Long Mynd Stourbridge M6 Lyveden M1 A1(M) Ely M5 Solihull M42 Coventry Kettering Kidderminster Mildenhall Packwood Baddesley Rugby Huntingdon M42 House Clinton Bromsgrove M45 St Ives Stourport- Wicken Fen Houghton Mill Bury Dunwich Heath Croft on-Severn M40 Wellingborough Castle M5 Redditch Leamington St Edmunds Warwick Spa Rushden Berrington Hall Droitwich Coughton Daventry Newmarket Theatre Royal Cambridge The Firs Court Northampton St Neots Llanerchaeron Hanbury Anglesey Abbey Stowmarket Hall Ickworth Stratford Charlecote Park M11 Brockhampton Worcester upon Avon Greyfriars’ House Canons Wimpole Estate Orford Farnborough Hall Ness The Fleece Ashby M1 Newport Bedford Melford Hall Great Malvern Pagnell Sutton Hoo Inn Biggleswade Lavenham Ipswich Croome Evesham Upton Haverhill The Weir House Sudbury Guildhall Hidcote Banbury Milton Dolaucothi Mines Garden Hereford Royston Stowe Keynes M1 Saffron Letchworth Walden Felixstowe Tewkesbury Dunstable A1(M) Harwich M50 Snowshill Manor Downs and the Flatford Claydon Leighton Whipsnade Hitchin M11 Grange Barn Chastleton House M40 Buzzard Estate Stevenage Bishop's Braintree Colchester Carmarthen M5 Cheltenham Bicester Ascott Stortford Gloucester Luton Paycocke’s Bourne Mill Dinefwr Shaw’s Corner Hat eld Forest House Abergavenny Chedworth Waddesdon Manor Welwyn Garden Ammanford Tring Ware Witham Clacton-on-Sea Colby Woodland Roman Hemel City Witney Hertford Milford Garden Merthyr The Kymin Hartwell House Hempstead Harlow Haven St Albans Maldon T l d Chelmsford Stroud Oxford Thame Berkhamsted M1 Hoddesdon M5 Llanelli Aberdulais Aberdare Pontypool M40 Pembroke M4 Cirencester Buscot Park Amersham M25 Hughenden Watford En eld Tudor Merchant’s Abingdon M25 M11 Neath Cwmbran Chigwell House Swansea Chepstow Newark Park West Wycombe Park Barnet Brentwood Stackpole High Wycombe Fenton M25 Rayleigh Pontypridd M48 Didcot Port Talbot Caerphilly Nuf eld Place House Sutton House Newport Heelis Beacons eld Basildon Southend-on-Sea M4 Cliveden Eastbury Tredegar House M49 2 Willow Road Rainham Hall Canvey Island M4 Greys Court Slough Bridgend M4 M4 Porthcawl Cardiff M32 Tilbury Basildon Park Reading Windsor Osterley Park Sheerness Clevedon M5 Dyrham Park Runnymede and Margate Bristol Ankerwycke Ham House Red House Cobham Wood Dyffryn Gardens M4 Tyntes eld Staines Swanley Rochester Whitstable Lacock Newbury Gillingham Barry Sittingbourne Herne Bay Bath Claremont M25 Devizes M3 Garden The Homewood M20 Chatham Ramsgate Weston-super-Mare Prior Park Faversham Brean Down Epsom M2 Sandham Hatchlands Sevenoaks Knole Maidstone Trowbridge The Vyne Quebec Canterbury Memorial Park Leatherhead Stoneacre Basingstoke Box Hill M25 House Deal Chapel River Wey and Godalming Ightham Mote Reigate M20 Burnham-on-Sea Frome Navigations and Dapdune Wharf Guildford Polesden Emmetts Andover Chartwell Garden Tonbridge South Foreland Lighthouse Lundy Ilfracombe Minehead Warminster Shalford Lacey Dunster Castle Farnham Godalming Sissinghurst Ashford Winkworth Arboretum Mill M23 Castle Garden The White Cliffs Arlington Court Standen House Dover Dunster Coleridge Cottage M3 Alton East Grinstead Crawley Tunbridge M20 Bridgwater Stourhead Mompesson Winchester Oakhurst Wells Folkestone Barnstaple Fyne Court House City Mill Cottage Wakehurst Scotney Castle Hythe Crowborough Smallhythe Place Salisbury Winchester Woolbeding Horsham Bideford Lytes Cary Manor Gardens Nymans Taunton Mottisfont Petworth Shef eld Park Bodiam Castle Hinton Peters eld Romsey Haywards Lamb House M5 Tintinhull Garden Eastleigh Ampner Heath Bateman’s Knightshayes Yeovil Barrington Court Southampton Uppark House Montacute House A3(M) Tiverton Hailsham Hastings Lewes Hythe M27 Havant Chichester Monk’s House Killerton Fareham Bexhill-on-Sea Hove Brighton Kingston Lacy Fawley Worthing Alfriston Clergy House New Gosport Littlehampton Hardy’s Milton Lymington Cowes Portsmouth Bognor Bridport Cottage Christchurch Ryde Regis Finch Foundry Exeter M5 Poole Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters Sidmouth Dorchester Brownsea Island Bournemouth Newtown Newport Castle Drogo Max Gate Bembridge Windmill Tintagel Old Studland Bay Sandown Post Of ce A la Ronde The Lydford Gorge Corfe Castle Mottistone Shanklin Exmouth Weymouth Needles Dawlish Gardens Teignmouth Newton Abbot Bodmin Cotehele Compton Castle Buckland Abbey Torquay Newquay Lanhydrock Paignton Plymouth Saltash Brixham Antony Plympton Trerice St Austell Fowey Torpoint Greenway Saltram Coleton Fishacre East Pool Truro St Ives Mine Redruth Levant Mine Camborne Overbeck’s Trengwainton Trelissick Garden Penzance Godolphin Falmouth St Michael’s Helston Glendurgan Garden Mount Beatrix Potter Gallery and Hawkshead Main Street, Hawkshead, Cumbria LA22 0NS

The Beatrix Potter Gallery is housed in a quirky 17th-century building which was once the office of Beatrix’s solicitor husband. If you’ve ever been charmed by Beatrix’s endearing characters, you can take a closer look at her miniature masterpieces inside and find out more about her life beyond the books. A new exhibition of her original artwork, illustrations and letters explores the enduring popularity of Beatrix’s tales. The quaint Hawkshead village makes the perfect base for exploring the countryside that inspired Beatrix and many other famous poets, writers and artists. Note: nearest toilets 300 yards in main village car park (not ).

What’s new in 2019? A new exhibition of Beatrix’s original artwork, letters and drawings explores her little white books and how their popularity has withstood the test of time.

Contact: 015394 36355 (gallery). 015394 36471 (shop) or [email protected]

Coaches: nearest parking 300 yards from entrance, in National Park (LDNP) pay-and-display car park.

Visit: average duration is 30 minutes. Introductory talk. Shop.

Catering: choice of cafés and pubs in Hawkshead village (none National Trust).

Group admission: £6 (groups 8+). Further discount offered to groups also booked to visit Hill Top

Beatrix Potter Gallery/Hawkshead M T W T F S S Gallery 16 Feb–3 Nov 10:30–4 M T W T F S S Hawkshead shop 16 Feb–3 Nov 10:30–5 M T W T F S S 4 Nov–22 Dec 10:30–4 M T W T F S S At busy periods, timed entry system in operation. Medieval Hawkshead Courthouse: open 30 March to 27 October (access by key from National Trust shop in Hawkshead).

Access: s105 s81s129 Gallery s63 s233 nationaltrust.org.uk/groups 169 Dunham Massey Altrincham, WA14 4SJ

A green haven surrounded by a wall of red brick, Dunham Massey park is at the heart of a 1,200-hectare (3,000-acre) estate. The ancient is to birds and insects and has the largest collection of veteran trees in the North Catering: café, self-service, 80 covers, with West. Wild fallow deer can be seen among the additional open-air seating for 100. Stables tree-lined avenues. In the house, selected rooms Restaurant, self-service, 200 covers. Enquire at reveal stories about the family and workers, while time of booking about group catering offer and others show what it takes to look after a diverse table reservation. collection and archive. The gardens include one of the UK’s largest winter gardens, a rose garden, Group admission: £13.85. Garden only £9.50 water features and swathes of planting which are colourful all year. The stables and 400-year- old mill are also open as part of this working Dunham Massey M T W T F S S estate. Note: everyone requires a house and Garden, café, restaurant, shop and stables garden ticket, including members (available from 1 Jan–8 Feb 10:30–4* M T W T F S S reception on the day). No groups on Bank Holiday 9 Feb–3 Nov 10:30–5* M T W T F S S weekends and occasionally other peak times. 4 Nov–31 Dec** 10:30–4* M T W T F S S House and mill† Garden best: all year. 23 Mar–3 Nov 11–5†† M T W . . S S Park Contact: 0161 942 3989 (Infoline). 0161 941 1025 1 Jan–8 Feb 8–6 M T W T F S S or [email protected] 9 Feb–3 Nov 8–8 M T W T F S S 4 Nov–31 Dec 8–6 M T W T F S S Coaches: parking for 2 coaches, 50 yards from *Garden: closes dusk if earlier. Café, restaurant and shop: entrance, 200 yards from house and clock tower. open 10. Restaurant: closes one hour earlier. **Garden, café, restaurant, shop and stables: closed 20 November and Shuttle buggy transfer available most days. Please 25 December. Stables: open 11. †House: 9 February to 22 use approach from A56 – low bridge on B5160 to March, partly open for special guided tours (book on the west of property. day). ††House: closes dusk, if earlier; last entry one hour before closing. Mill: open 12 to 4. Visit: average duration is 4 hours. Guided walks in s70 s133 s77 s140 s67s105s81s141s129 the deer park (additional charge) are available on Access: request when making your booking. Shop. House s63 s66 s59 Garden and park s64 s108 s8s59

170 Please book all group visits, tours and catering directly with places Visit: average duration is 2 hours. Guided tour£. Out-of-hours tours£. Gawthorpe Hall Catering: café, self-service with limited seating, 40 covers. Burnley Road, , near Burnley, BB12 8UA Group admission: please contact for details

This Elizabethan house, in the heart of urban Lancashire, has extravagant 19th-century interiors Gawthorpe Hall M T W T F S S by Sir Charles Barry (of Houses of Parliament and Hall ‘the real Downton Abbey’ fame). The Hall displays 27 Mar–3 Nov 12–5* . . W T F S S textiles from the Gawthorpe Textile Collection, Tea-room including needlework, lace and embroidery. 27 Mar–3 Nov 11–5** . . W T F S S Outside, you can enjoy the garden and woodland Grounds walks. Note: financed and run in partnership with Open all year 8–7 M T W T F S S Lancashire County Council. Opening times and Hall and tea-room: open Bank Holidays. *Hall: last entry prices for the Hall are controlled by LCC and subject 4:30. **Tea-room: last orders 4:30. Opening times subject to change. to change – please check availability and prices. Access: s133 s140 s67s22s68s138 Building s63 Garden best in: May–June. Grounds s63 s66 s64s108 Contact: 01282 771004 or [email protected]

Coaches: parking for 2 coaches, 100 yards. Narrow access road. nationaltrust.org.uk/groups 171 Group admission: £11.80 (no group discount). Discount available 4 to 28 March and 28 Hill Top September to 17 October (inclusive), £10.90 Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Hill Top M T W T F S S Cumbria LA22 0LF House, shop and garden* 16 Feb–23 May** 10–4:30 M T W T . S S 25 May–1 Sep 10–5 M T W T F S S 2 Sep–3 Nov** 10–4:30 M T W T . S S Shop and garden 9 Nov–22 Dec 10:30–3:30 . . . . . S S *House: entry by timed ticket (places limited), free entry to garden and shop. **Shop and garden: also open Fridays; house opens some Fridays during school holidays (check before visit).

Access: s70 s81 s22s129 House s63 s64 s233 Shop s63 Garden s63

Beatrix Potter’s beloved farmhouse Hill Top was her sanctuary as well as a source of inspiration for her much-loved children’s tales. Stroll through the quaint village of Near Sawrey and through the colourful garden and you may recognise scenes and landmarks from Beatrix’s illustrations along the way. Filled with her personal possessions, from traditional Lakeland furniture to trophies for her prize-winning Herdwick sheep, the house is just as she left it when it came into the Trust’s care in 1944. Today, we’re continuing Beatrix’s work to look after the Lake District in a changing world. Note: house entry by timed ticket – during busy periods there may be a wait.

Garden best in: May–August.

Contact: 015394 36269. 015394 36801 (shop) or [email protected]

Coaches: no coach drop off available. Drop-off point on site for minibuses only (maximum 22 seats). Parking (not National Trust), 2½ miles, call for details. Minibus transfers can be arranged independently from various locations (charges apply).

Visit: average duration is 45 minutes. Out-of- hours tours£. Shop.

Catering: no catering on site. Nearby hotels can cater for groups; to arrange contact Tower Bank Arms on 015394 36334, or Sawrey House Hotel on 015394 36387.

172 Please book all group visits, tours and catering directly with places Catering: Mrs Dale’s Tea-room and the Little Tea-room are both located within the Hall. Outdoor seating is also available. Unfortunately, Little Moreton Hall we’re unable to make reservations due to the small size of both tea-rooms. Congleton, CW12 4SD Group admission: £10.70

Little Moreton Hall M T W T F S S Hall, garden, tea-room and shop 30 Mar–3 Nov* 11–5** . . W T F S S 29 Nov–15 Dec 11–4** . . . . F S S Shop 9 Nov–24 Nov 12–4 . . . . . S S Open Bank Holiday Mondays. *3 to 28 April, 22 May to 2 June, 24 July to 1 September and 23 October to 3 November: open daily. **Upper floors may close early if light levels are poor.

Access: s70 s133 s140 s67s105 s81s141s129s68s138 Hall s63 s66 s64s59 Reception s64 s59 Grounds s63 s66 s64s108 Special interest tours Check website or call for details of all tours or talks

Exclusive guided tour Take a light-hearted look at Tudor life and While modern life rushes by on the busy road times as you’re led around one of Britain’s most outside, Little Moreton Hall, surrounded by its famous, and arguably the finest, timber-framed, moat, survives as a Tudor fantasy, transporting moated manor house, which dates back over you back to another time. Built to impress by 500 years. This tour is only available out of hours craftsmen’s hands more than 500 years ago, before Hall opens, maximum group size 35. the Hall has a unique quirky charm and homely feel. With its crooked walls and uneven floors, Tour cost from £70 per group it seems so resilient yet still so fragile. Outside Duration 1 hour there’s a manicured knot garden and borders with herbs and vegetables used in Tudor times. This remarkable survivor inspires you to reflect on the ups and downs of a simpler way of life. Note: major rewiring project may cause delay, call to check opening time.

Garden best in: June–August.

Contact: 01260 272018 or [email protected]

Coaches: parking for 2 coaches, 100 yards from entrance.

Visit: average duration is 3 hours. Welcome to site. Guided tour. Out-of-hours tours£. Groups are welcome to join free public tours of ground floor only, at regular intervals throughout the day. Please request exclusive guided tour at time of booking. Shop. nationaltrust.org.uk/groups 173 Visit: average duration is 3 hours. Ask about our informative, free spotlight talks; these are held throughout the day in various locations, on a Lyme variety of subjects. Shop. Disley, Stockport, Cheshire SK12 2NR Catering: tea-room (licensed) in house, table service, 60 covers. Café in Timber Yard, self- If you had to conjure up the ultimate grand English service, 70 covers. Call to discuss catering. country house, you might picture something like Lyme. The glorious , which sits in 570 Group admission: £11.55. Garden only £7.55 hectares (1,400 acres) of deer park, with far- reaching views across Manchester and the Cheshire Plain, was the much-loved home of the Legh family Lyme M T W T F S S for more than 600 years. Its lavish interiors reflect House the life of a great estate, from its earliest beginnings 16 Feb–30 Mar 11–4 M T . . F S S to its Regency heyday, when Thomas Legh brought 31 Mar–3 Nov* 11–5 M T . . F S S Lyme back to its full glory. You may recognise 22 Nov–23 Dec** 11–3 M . . . F S S Lyme as ‘Pemberley’ from the BBC adaptation Garden, shop and tea-rooms of Pride and Prejudice, starring Colin Firth. Lyme’s 1 Jan–15 Feb 11–3† M T W T F S S ever-changing gardens, with the Reflection Lake, 16 Feb–3 Nov 11–5† M T W T F S S Orangery and Rose Garden, are ideal places to 4 Nov–21 Nov 11–3† M T W T F S S stroll and relax. Note: facility improvements taking 22 Nov–31 Dec 10–3† M T W T F S S place, please check before visit. Partly financed by Estate Stockport Metropolitan Council. Sorry, no 1 Jan–30 Mar 8–6†† M T W T F S S groups at weekends or Bank Holidays. 31 Mar–26 Oct 8–8†† M T W T F S S 27 Oct–31 Dec 8–6†† M T W T F S S Garden best in: April–May, July–September. Timber Yard shop and café¹ 1 Jan–30 Mar 10–4 M T W T F S S What’s new in 2019? Discover more about the 31 Mar–26 Oct 10–5 M T W T F S S Lyme Missal, considered the most important 27 Oct–31 Dec 10–4 M T W T F S S printed book in the National Trust’s collection, House: last entry one hour before closing. *Open Thursdays with a programme of talks and tours. June to August. **Parts of house open for Christmas events; also open 24 December. †Garden: opens 10:30; also open 24 December. ††Gates locked at closing. ¹Building works planned Contact: 01663 762023 or to start early autumn. Everything closed 25 December. [email protected] Access: s70 s133 s77 s140 s67 s105s81s141s129s68s138 Coaches: parking for 3 coaches, 200 yards from House s63 s59 Garden s63 s66 s64 s108s59 house. Drop-off point, 100 yards. Shuttle service available. Free parking for groups booked to visit house and garden.

174 Please book all group visits, tours and catering directly with places Quarry Bank Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 4LA

In the early years of the , the tranquillity of the river valley at Quarry Bank gave way to the clatter and bustle of an industrial community at work. The people here, from the mill-owning Greg family in Quarry Bank House to the workers living in Styal village and the Apprentice House, were at the cutting edge during a time of great change. You can see the heritage machinery in action in the mill and discover what working life was like for the men, women and children toiling 10 hours a day. Uncover the very different lives led by the mill owners by walking through their gardens and estate and exploring their elegant family home. Note: sorry, no groups on Bank Holidays.

Garden best in: April–September.

Contact: 01625 527468 or Access: s70 s77 s140 s67 s105s81s129s68s138 Mill s63 [email protected] s66 s64 s110 s233s59 Quarry Bank House/Apprentice Coaches: coach parking 200 yards, steep hill to House s64 s233 s59 Gardens and estate s64 s108 s8s59 mill yard. Shuttle transfer available from car park.

Visit: average duration is 3 hours. Welcome to Special interest tours site. Guided tour. Allow full day to see whole site. Check website or call for details of all tours or talks Visits to mill, Quarry Bank House and garden are self-led. Visits to Apprentice House are limited, The working mill by booked guided tour. Tailored tours can be Explore the experiences of the mill workers as arranged for special interests. Shop. tour guides offer unique insights into jobs they carried out in the mill. Live demonstrations of Catering: mill café, 96 covers and garden café, working mill machinery and steam engines show 36 covers, both licensed and busy at all times; the developments in technology during the groups 20+ can book catering for lunch in Industrial Revolution. suites above mill café. Garden café uses biodegradable crockery. Tour cost from £25 per group Duration 1 hour 30 minutes Group admission: £19 Styal village: a community built by Quarry Bank’s workers Quarry Bank M T W T F S S Take a tour of Styal village, where purpose-built 1 Jan–6 Jan 10:30–4 . T W T F S S cottages were erected by the Greg family to 12 Jan–8 Feb 10:30–4 . . W T F S S house their workers. Our tour guides provide an 9 Feb–3 Nov 10:30–5 M T W T F S S insight into how the residents of the past lived 6 Nov–22 Dec 10:30–4 . . W T F S S together in this tight-knit community. The village 26 Dec–31 Dec 10:30–4 M T . T F S S remains a thriving neighbourhood today. Estate Open all year* 8–6 M T W T F S S Tour cost from £25 per group Garden: closes dusk if earlier. Everything closed 7 to 11 Duration 1 hour January for maintenance. *Closed 25 December. Open daily 1 to 5 January 2020.

nationaltrust.org.uk/groups 175 Special interest tours Check website or call for details of all tours or talks Rufford Old Hall Tour with the gardener Join the gardener for an exclusive tour of our 200 Liverpool Road, Rufford, near Ormskirk, charming gardens and a light-hearted look at the Lancashire L40 1SG garden’s history, its design and plants, and hear about our resident bee colony. This black-and-white Tudor building, with its contrasting mellow red-brick Jacobean wing, Tour cost free of charge hunkers in the low-lying mosslands of south-west Duration 1 hour Lancashire. More than 500 years old, this family home has many stories to tell about the intriguing Heskeths who used to lived here, and a Great Hall that might make your jaw drop! Children can get closer to nature with bug hunting and wild art kits, and you can unwind in the Victorian-style garden and grounds with colourful seasonal displays, from carpets of bluebells in spring to golden leaves in autumn.

Garden best in: March–July.

Contact: 01704 821254 or [email protected]

Coaches: parking for 1 coach, next to visitor reception. Coaches will be directed by a member of staff.

Visit: average duration is 2 hours. Welcome to site. Introductory talk. Guided tour. Out-of-hours tours£. Shop.

Catering: tea-room (licensed), table service, 40 covers.

Group admission: £7.70

Rufford Old Hall M T W T F S S 16 Feb–7 Apr 11–4 M T W . . S S 8 Apr–21 Apr 11–5 M T W T F S S 22 Apr–26 May 11–5 M T W . . S S 27 May–2 Jun 11–5 M T W T F S S 3 Jun–28 Jul 11–5 M T W . . S S 29 Jul–1 Sep 11–5* M T W T F S S 2 Sep–20 Oct 11–5 M T W . . S S 21 Oct–30 Oct 11–5 M T W T F S S 2 Nov–1 Dec 11–4 . . . . . S S 5 Dec–15 Dec 11–4 . . . T F S S *Shop and tea-room: open 10:30. Car park: closes 30 minutes after closing. Tudor Great Hall occasionally closed until 1 for weddings, check website before visit.

Access: s70 s133 s140 s67 s105s81s22s129s138 Building s63 s66 s64 s233s59 Grounds s63 s66 s64 s108s59

176 Please book all group visits, tours and catering directly with places Sizergh Sizergh, near Kendal, Cumbria LA8 8DZ

This imposing house, still home to the Strickland family who built it, stands proud at the gateway to the Lake District. With 750 years of history, it has many tales to tell. Inside, there’s impressive wood panelling, while the Inlaid Chamber is one of the best examples of Elizabethan craftsmanship, with its elaborate woodwork and plasterwork. The house is surrounded by gardens and a 647-hectare (1,600-acre) estate. With wetland, limestone pastures, orchards and semi-natural woodland, it’s home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the rare hawfinch. There’s also a unique limestone rock garden, where the colours change with the seasons – its timeless atmosphere makes this the perfect place to relax. Note: some opening restrictions apply.

Garden best in: April–October.

Contact: 015395 60951 or [email protected]

Coaches: limited parking, booking essential.

Visit: average duration is 2 hours 30 minutes. Welcome to site. Shop.

Catering: café (licensed), self-service, 80 covers with outdoor area on the terrace. Sorry, it’s not possible to book.

Group admission: £11.50. Garden only £7.50

Sizergh M T W T F S S House* 16 Mar–27 Oct 12–3:30 . T W T F S S Garden, café and shop 1 Jan–6 Jan** 10–4 . T W T F S S 19 Jan–15 Mar** 10–4 M T W T F S S 16 Mar–27 Oct 10–5 M T W T F S S 28 Oct–31 Dec** 10–4 M T W T F S S Estate Open all year 9–6† M T W T F S S *House: guided tours (excluding Saturdays): at 11 and 11:20 (places limited, £1 per person). **Garden: areas subject to closure. †Estate: 1 January to 15 March and 28 October to 31 December, closes 4:30. Car park: open as estate. Closed 25 December.

Access: s70 s133 s140 s67 s105s81s141s129 Building s63 s233 s59 Grounds s66 s108 s8s59 nationaltrust.org.uk/groups 177 Visit: average duration is 2 hours. Entry to Hall for groups from 12:30. Groups are self-led and need to divide into smaller groups of 10 to Speke Hall prevent overcrowding. Shop. Speke, Liverpool L24 1XD Catering: Home Farm Restaurant, self-service, 70 covers, with additional outside seating, 500 Almost 500 years ago, the Norris family yards from house. Stable Tea-room near house, replaced a medieval manor house on the banks 25 covers, open at weekends and school holidays; of the with the very latest in Tudor groups can reserve exclusively for afternoon tea. architecture. The iconic black-and-white Hall has seen centuries of turbulent history but was Group admission: £10. Grounds only £7.50 sympathetically restored in Victorian times as a cosy home. Surrounded by tranquil gardens and semi-ancient woodland, it’s a slice of the past Speke Hall M T W T F S S in the urban surroundings of Liverpool. Drive House through the gates and leave the 21st century 16 Feb–21 Jul 11–5* . . W T F S S behind as you enter a peaceful world where you 23 Jul–1 Sep 11–5* . T W T F S S can be as restful or as active as you choose. The 4 Sep–3 Nov 11–5* . . W T F S S grounds are full of things to discover, from spring 29 Nov–15 Dec 11–4* . . . . F S S carpets of daffodils and bluebells to a Victorian- Gardens, catering and retail themed maze and natural woodland play trails. Open all year† 10:30–5** M T W T F S S *House: entry before 12:30 by guided tour only (tickets : April–August. available from reception on day); 16 February to 10 March, Garden best in entry by guided tour. **Shop: opens 11. †12 March, 19 November and 24 to 26 December: everything closed. Contact: 0151 427 7231 or Access and closing times vary in winter (check at reception [email protected] on arrival).

Coaches: parking available, 75 yards Access: s70 s133 s77 s140 s67 s105s81s22s129s68s138 from entrance. Hall s63 s64 s59 Grounds s66 s108 s8s59

178 Please book all group visits, tours and catering directly with places Steam Yacht Gondola M T W T F S S Head of Lake Cruise 1 Apr–31 Oct 11–11:45 M T W T F . . 1 Apr–31 Oct 12–12:45 M T W T F . . Steam Yacht Gondola 1 Apr–31 Oct 1–1:45 M T W T F S S Coniston Pier, Lake Road, Coniston, 30 Mar–27 Oct 2:30–3:15 . . . . . S S Cumbria LA21 8AN 30 Mar–27 Oct 3:30–4:15 . . . . . S S Full Lake Cruise 1 Apr–31 Oct 2:30–4:15 M T W T F . . Walkers/Full Lake Cruise 30 Mar–27 Oct 11–12:45 . . . . . S S All sailings depart Coniston Pier. You can ‘hop off/hop on’ at other piers: Monk Coniston and Parkamoor, plus Lake Bank and Brantwood (not National Trust). Cruises subject to weather conditions.

Access: s70 s140 s129s68s138 Gangway s63 s66

Special interest tours Check website or call for details of all tours or talks

This steam yacht was rebuilt by the National A Victorian day out on Coniston Trust from the original 1859 Gondola: today’s Indulge in a luxurious cruise on Coniston Water passengers can experience the nostalgia of aboard this carefully rebuilt steam-powered yacht a steam-driven cruise on Coniston Water as with its sumptuously upholstered saloons. Enjoy enjoyed by the Victorians. Based on the design the glorious views as wealthy Victorians once did. of a Venetian ‘Burchiello’ boat, Steam Yacht Disembark at Brantwood House (not National Gondola cuts silently through the water, with Trust), home of famous Victorian artist and writer the carved figurehead of Sid the golden sea John Ruskin before returning on Gondola. serpent at the bow of her streamlined hull. You can explore the boat, watch the steam engine Tour cost from £18 per person in action at close quarters, and listen to the Duration 3 hours crew’s commentary on Gondola’s long history on the lake and her association with Swallows and Grand Victorian Circular Tour Amazons. Note: cruises depart from Coniston Pier An epic tour on Windermere and Coniston Water (subject to weather conditions). Sorry no toilet on recreating a Victorian day out once promoted by scheduled sailings. the Furness Railway. This escorted tour also visits Claife Viewing Station for a picnic lunch and you Contact: 015394 32733 or travel with our partners by steam train, passenger [email protected] launch and minibus, before a cruise on Gondola. Booking Office, The Hollens, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9QZ Tour cost from £75 per person Duration 6 hours 30 minutes Coaches: parking for 2 coaches, 100 yards from entrance.

Visit: average duration is 2 hours. Introductory talk. Guided tour. Full Lake cruise takes 1 hour 45 minutes. Head of Lake round trip takes 45 minutes. Please allow 3 hours if visiting Brantwood House (not National Trust). Shop.

Catering: a buffet lunch or tea can be provided if Gondola is privately hired.

Group admission: Full Lake cruise £17. Head of Lake cruise £10

nationaltrust.org.uk/groups 179 Contact: 01625 374400 or [email protected]. tattonpark.org.uk Tatton Park Coaches: free spaces for booked coaches in main car park, 250 yards from the stableyard and Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN shops. Groups will be met Tuesday to Sunday (high season only). Use Sat Nav WA16 6SG. Tatton Park is a grand country estate set in 400 Unbooked coach/minibus, charge applies. hectares (1,000 acres) of historic deer park. The Egerton family acquired an impressive collection Visit: average duration is 3 hours. Welcome to of fine art, books and furnishings that can be seen site. Guided tour£. General guided tours available in the Neo-classical mansion, which also houses for the mansion, garden and farm; house tours the servants’ quarters. There is a medieval Old take place in mornings only (closed Mondays). Hall and 20 hectares (50 acres) of award-winning Groups 25+ will require an extra guide (additional gardens, including a 100-year-old Japanese charge). Special Christmas mansion group rates Garden. The farm recently received a £1.3 million available. Shop. grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to open buildings and tell the story of Tatton’s food Catering: Stables Restaurant (licensed), production over the centuries, with new guided self-service, 200 covers, includes private tours, demonstrations and rare breed animals. Harness Room; Gardener’s Cottage Tea-room Note: financed and managed by Cheshire (licensed), waitress service, 80 covers (neither East Council. National Trust).

Garden best in: April–October. Group admission: £10 Totally Tatton Ticket (mansion, gardens and farm). £5.50 single attraction

Tatton Park M T W T F S S Parkland 1 Jan–29 Mar 10–5 . T W T F S S 30 Mar–27 Oct 10–7 M T W T F S S 29 Oct–31 Dec 10–5 . T W T F S S Mansion* 30 Mar–27 Sep 1–5 . . W T F S S 2 Oct–3 Nov 12–4 . . W T F S S Farm** 5 Jan–24 Mar 11–4 . . . . . S S 30 Mar–27 Oct 12–5 . T W T F S S 28 Oct–3 Nov 11–4 M T W T F S S 9 Nov–29 Dec 11–4 . . . . . S S Gardens 1 Jan–29 Mar 10–4 . T W T F S S 30 Mar–3 Nov 10–6† M T W T F S S 5 Nov–31 Dec 10–4 . T W T F S S Shops and restaurants 1 Jan–29 Mar 12–4†† . T W T F S S 30 Mar–27 Oct 11–5†† M T W T F S S 29 Oct–31 Dec 12–4†† . T W T F S S *Mansion: also open Bank Holiday Mondays and for Christmas event. **Farm: also open 1 January, 18 to 22 February and Bank Holiday Mondays; closed during July RHS Flower Show. †Gardens: close 4, 28 October to 3 November. ††Restaurants: open 10. Old Hall special opening arrangements and charge. Parkland, mansion, farm and garden last entry one hour before closing. Everything closed 25 December.

Access: s70 s133 s140 s67s105 s81s141s129s68s138 Mansion s63 s66 s211s59 Grounds s63 s66 s108s8

180 Please book all group visits, tours and catering directly with places Special interest tours Check website or call for details of all tours or talks

Gardens tour New Japanese Garden tour You’ll be guided through different areas of the This gem of a tea-style garden is rated as the award-winning 20-hectare (50-acre) garden, ‘finest example of a Japanese Garden in Europe’. including the Walled Kitchen Garden, famed Let our specialist gardeners tell you about the Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, Lady Egerton’s team of Japanese workmen who landscaped the Rose Garden and the Arboretum, which contains area, where a Shinto shrine and objects from a substantial collection of pine trees. Japan sit amongst striking Japanese maples.

Tour cost from £85 per group Tour cost from £110 per group Duration 1 hour Duration 1 hour

Hidden treasures Upstairs, downstairs In the house, take a closer look at Tatton’s Travel back in time and join one of our ‘objets d’art’ and some secret hiding places in its entertaining Edwardian servants for a dramatic furniture. Eclectic and fascinating items include tour of the mansion’s opulent state rooms and Lord Egerton’s ethnographic store full of weird servants’ quarters, looking at life ‘below stairs’ and wonderful collections, first-edition novels, as they went about their daily tasks. illustrated books on travel and animals, silver gilt and fine china. Tour cost from £110 per group Duration 1 hour Tour cost from £110 per group Duration 1 hour nationaltrust.org.uk/groups 181 Wordsworth House and Garden Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9RX

Step back to the 1770s at the childhood home and garden that inspired William to become a poet. Hands-on rooms give a feel for middle-class Georgian life – there’s even a rope bed to try. Costumed servants cook in the kitchen, gossip and tell tales on selected days in term-time and throughout school holidays. Guided and audio tours reveal the happiness and heartache experienced by the Wordsworth household, while in the cellar, their ‘ghosts’ share personal stories. Two new exhibitions, ‘This Land is Our Land’ and ‘Under Northern Skies’, explore our love of landscape and the fragility of the natural environment. Special interest tours Garden best in: June–August. Check website or call for details of all tours or talks

Contact: 01900 820884 (Infoline). 01900 824805 Georgians and Cumbrian ghosts or [email protected] Ghostly tales, haunting harpsichord music and a chance to chat with the ‘maid of all work’ make Coaches: coaches park across river at Wakefield this entertaining evening tour a memorable one. Road car park, 300 yards. House accessed via Gain an insight into the life of the Wordsworth footbridge from car park. family, meet the servants in the atmospheric Georgian kitchen and enjoy a glass of wine. Visit: average duration is 1 hour 30 minutes. Introductory talk. Tours are organised to take Tour cost from £11 per person place between 9 and 11:30 or after 5; tours start Duration 1 hour 30 minutes when closed to public. Talks and harpsichord recitals (additional charge) can be arranged, The daily life of the Wordsworths during or outside opening times. Shop. Be greeted by the Wordsworths’ servants for a special insight into the life of young William in Catering: groups can book catering at the the 1770s. Our costumed staff will talk about life Trout Hotel (not National Trust) next door and in the Georgian era and you can sample a recipe receive a 10% discount. Many independent cafés in the working kitchen – soak up the atmosphere in the town. and ask questions at your leisure.

Group admission: £7.90 Tour cost from £11 per person Duration 1 hour 30 minutes

Wordsworth House and Garden M T W T F S S Wordsworth’s childhood garden 9 Mar–27 Oct 11–5* M T W T . S S Tiptoe back in time through Wordsworth’s *Last entry to house one hour before closing (timed tickets magical childhood garden, the source of may operate on busy days). Open selected Fridays in inspiration for some of his most emotive and holidays (please telephone for information). cherished poems. On this delightful guided tour, Access: s133 s140 s67 s105 s81s141s129s68s138 learn about the research undertaken to establish s64 s110 s59 s64 s59 how the garden was then and what it takes to Building Grounds keep it that way.

Tour cost from £11 per person Duration 1 hour

182 Please book all group visits, tours and catering directly with places These properties have a limited offer for groups, but are well worth exploring for fascinating short visits that can be worked into your tour itinerary.

Aira Force and Sticklebarn and Ullswater The Langdales near Watermillock, Penrith, Cumbria near Ambleside, Cumbria

Aira Force is a showcase for the power and The barn-turned-pub, Sticklebarn, sits at the beauty of nature; a place to escape the ordinary. heart of the Langdales: with fresh food, real ale Rainwater runs from the fells into Aira Beck and and roaring fires, this is the perfect place to relax thunders over the falls in one 65-foot drop. Yet after a day on the fells. The great Lakes guidebook Aira Force is more than an impressive waterfall. author, Alfred Wainwright, said ‘no mountain Weave your way from Ullswater lakeshore to profile arrests and excites the attention more than Gowbarrow summit, passing ancient woodlands, that of the Langdale Pikes’. With miles of walking, towering Himalayan firs and landscaped glades they’re a natural playground. The route around and you can enjoy views across Ullswater and Blea Tarn is easily accessible, with views of Little spot rare red squirrels. Why not start your day and Great Langdale. Nearby High Close Estate in Glenridding, arriving by boat and taking in and Arboretum offers 4.5 hectares (11 acres) of the Ullswater Valley sights along the way, then tranquillity with over 100 years of history and trees stroll back along the lakeshore? Note: boat rides from around the globe. Note: groups (10+) must on Ullswater operated by Ullswater ‘Steamers’ book catering. Coaches must book (015394 37623). (not National Trust). Coaches: booking essential, restrictions and charges. One mile to falls – Contact: 015394 37356 (Sticklebarn) or steep walk, steps. The Glade is wheelchair [email protected] accessible, ½ mile.

Contact: 017684 82067 or [email protected] Wray Castle Low Wray, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0JA Nether Alderley Mill Standing on the west shore of Windermere, this dramatic Gothic Revival castle was built in the Congleton Road, Nether Alderley, Macclesfield, 1840s by a retired couple from Liverpool. With Cheshire SK10 4TW wide views of the Lake District hills, it’s easy to imagine why they chose this striking spot. Since Concealed under the long sloping roof of this then, the castle has had many uses, and it came to medieval building is a fully restored, working corn the Trust without its original contents, providing mill. You can take a guided tour inside to spot rooms for family adventures and interactive spaces centuries-old graffiti and discover more about to explore its story. We’re continually learning the life of a miller. Watch as the waterwheels turn, about Wray’s past, and this year we’re looking at powering the huge millstones that grind the flour. the impact the castle had on the surrounding area Note: view by guided tour only. Uneven floor, since it was built. You can join a daily talk or tour steep stairs and low ceilings throughout. Limited to discover the latest findings, then explore the parking. Sorry, no toilets, catering. Coach drop-off castle, grounds, parkland and lakeshore at your point only; nearest coach parking and National leisure. Note: no coach parking. Recommend large Trust facilities at , 2 miles. groups take boat from Ambleside. Steep, uneven 500-yard walk from jetty. Contact: 01625 527468 or [email protected] Contact: 015394 33250 or [email protected] nationaltrust.org.uk/groups 183

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