Speke Hall is a great spot to visit for those missing the countryside like me!
Earlier this year the National Trust announced it would be issuing free passes to some of its properties and there is nothing I love more than a good freebie, so of course I signed up for one. The free passes get you into most of the Natural Trust sites across the country but I am luck enough, living in Liverpool, to have one basically on my doorstep and that is Speke Hall.
Although the Tudor manor is less than a 15-minute drive from my house it usually costs £12 entry for adults so I will admit it did put me off going, especially because there are so many stunning places near me that are free to access.
However, since moving to Liverpool in April lots of people have told me Speke Hall is a place I must visit and despite it absolutely lashing down the day I finally decided to go, they weren’t wrong.
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I think one of my favourite things about this city is that there is always somewhere to go and something going on. Whether it’s a class on Lark Lane to a new bar in town or an event in one of the city’s many venues, you’re never short of plans.
As someone who grew up in a small town surrounded by fields, and loves the outdoors and greenery, sometimes I do find myself missing a good open space to go for a walk. So last Saturday I asked my friend if instead of going out drinking copious amounts of red wine that weekend could we instead go for a nice walk and some food – with maybe just one cheeky beverage.
Thankfully, she said yes. Driving into the grounds of Speke Hall I was instantly in awe at its massively long driveway that instantly makes you think ‘this is a posh house.’ Typically, as we parked up the heavens opened and I don’t just mean a light drizzle, it was the type my umbrella couldn’t even contend with, although surprisingly it didn’t dampen the day.
Walking in I couldn’t stop thinking ‘wow’ – that’s before I’d even seen the hall itself – but all the grounds, restaurant and gardens were some of the prettiest and well-kept I think I’ve ever visited. Believe it or not I’m quite a history lover and enjoy picturing how things used to be so imagining how the grounds once looked and seeing the old gardens was lovely.
How popular the hall is was only further instilled in me when we had to queue, in the rain may I add, to get into the main hall, but being surrounded by such beauty did make it easier.
The Tudor manor is one of the most beautiful examples of architecture if you ask me, I honestly can’t describe how big of a ‘wow’ it gave me. Not only is it stunning on the outside but every nook and cranny is packed with history. What I did really love was that in each room they not only had boards with historic milestones but volunteers dressed in traditional clothing who were there to give you facts about the home, I honestly learnt so much about its history.
I also discovered there is a whole array of events held at the hall, including ghost trails as I’m told Speke Hall is known to be one of the most haunted places in Merseyside. So, I mean if you aren’t into history and green spaces then there is definitely more to do here than just walking around.
With all that said I did make a mistake I won’t be making again, which is not checking the weather forecast before going. You definitely need a dry day when you really can enjoy everything Speke Hall and its grounds has to offer. I’d have loved to have spent more time exploring the site and to be honest now I’ve been I think the £12 fee is so worth it.
