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Look beyond the black and white and discover a superb Tudor house with a very Victorian personality

Speke Hall is a rare Tudor timber-framed manor house in a most unusual setting on the banks of the River Mersey. Restored and brought back to life in the 19th-century, it is a unique and beautiful mixture of Tudor simplicity and Victorian Arts and Crafts' aesthetics.

Built by the devout Catholic Norris family - keen to impress visitors with the grandeur of their home and in particular the magnificent Great Hall - this beautiful building has witnessed more than 400 years of turbulent history. From the Tudor period when a secret priest hole was an essential feature, to years of neglect and decay in the 18th and 19th-centuries (including a spell when it was used as a cow shed) and then being dragged into the Victorian era of improvement and technology, the Hall has seen it all.

In the 21st-century, Speke Hall and its surrounding estate now provide a real oasis from the hurly burly of modern life. As you come through the gates, relax, take a breath and enjoy all that this wonderful place has to offer. The Hall is surrounded by beautiful restored gardens and protected by a collar of woodland.

The Hall is now closed for winter conservation work until 25 February 2012. Feel free to come for a winter walk around our beautiful grounds and gardens in the meantime - there's always something different to see.

Speke Hall concerts

'The Voice' - opera singer Russell Watson © Cuffe & Taylor

Russell will be accompanied by the Manchester Camerata Orchestra

© Cuffe & Taylor

2012 will be an exciting year at Speke Hall - we're hosting outdoor concerts for the first time.

Russell Watson, accompanied by the Manchester Camerata Orchestra, will be performing in a 'Last Night of the Proms' concert on Monday 4 June to mark the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in fine style. Bring along a picnic, sing along to Land of Hope and Glory and enjoy a spectacular firework finale.

If you're more of a rocker than a classical fan then join us on Sunday 3 June for Status Quo, supported by Liverpool band The Christians. Status Quo have been in the business for over 45 years and have played Glastonbury and Live Aid. We're sure they'll be rocking all over Speke Hall.

The headliners on the third night are yet to be announced. Watch this space for more details.

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What does the weather have in store?

Speke in winter

The common snowdrop - Galanthus nivalis var.'viridapicis'- growing in the gardens © NTPL/©NTPL/Stephen Robson

The Hall, shop and restaurant are all closed until late February but the grounds and gardens are open almost all year round. Why not wrap up warm and come for a wintry walk? It won't be long until the snowdrops are out.