Family fun at Speke Hall

Visitors exploring the Hedge Maze at Speke Hall, Liverpool

There is no shortage of adventure at Speke Hall, whatever the season! Have you ever played vegetable musical instruments? Solved a mind-boggling hedge maze? Made your own woodland den? Discover the fun activities your family can enjoy here.

What families need to know

  • You'll find toilets and baby-changing facilities at Home Farm and in the Dairy Courtyard next to the house.
  • Home Farm restaurant offers tasty kids lunchboxes containing sandwiches, fruit, a treat and juice or water. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
  • You're welcome to bring a picnic. There's plenty of picnic tables, benches and spots to lay out a blanket. Please use the bins provided when you're finished.
  • Balance bikes and small bikes with stabilisers are allowed, but please don't bring large wheeled bikes. The paths around the gardens and grounds are too narrow.
  • Dogs are not allowed in the play areas, maze or Childe of Hale trail (except for assistance dogs).
  • Buggies cannot be taken inside the house. You can leave them in the central courtyard in our designated buggy area, but please be aware this at your own risk.
Exploring the Hedge Maze at Speke Hall

Explore the hedge maze

Will you find your way out of our giant hedge maze? Designed by the world’s leading expert in maze construction, Adrian Fisher, there are 12 gates, 5 bridges, 4 finger mazes, 3 weather vanes and a viewing platform waiting to be discovered. It's a-MAZE-ing! You can even catch a wonderful view of the River Mersey from the platform as a rewarding surprise.

Visitors exploring the Play Trail at Speke Hall, Liverpool

Follow the Giant Childe of Hale trail

Begin a woodland adventure with our sculptured play trail, based on the local legend of John Middleton who was supposedly 9'3" tall! It is even said that he slept with his feet sticking out of his bedroom window in nearby Hale village. Will you spot him on your way around? Remember to look out for giant buttons, optical illusions and some larger-than-life vegetable musical instruments that you can play. This trail is suitable for all ages and pram-friendly.

Parent walking on a balance beam with a child looking on in the play area at Speke Hall in Liverpool

Have fun in the gated play area

This colourful safe haven is a place for young children to play and climb to their hearts content. Parents and carers can take a seat here to enjoy a rest and a snack on the picnic tables overlooking the gated play area.

Child crossing stepping stones at Speke Hall

Go wild in the woodland play area

Let the kids go wild! Hidden away in the magical woodland, there are lots of exciting challenges for them to take on including den building, a hill of stepping stones and outdoor balancing obstacles. Can you make it all the way round? Will you conquer the wobbly wooden and chain bridge? There's hours of fun to be had in our woods.

Explore the secrets of Speke Hall

Discover stories in the house

Step inside the house as a family between Wednesday-Sunday, 12.30-5pm (last entry at 4.15pm). Spot the eavesdropper, see the hidden priest hole and listen out for whispers in the Great Hall. Your little ones' imaginations will be running wild as they learn about Speke's Tudor and Victorian residents. Please be aware you may need to queue for a short while outside to gain entry.

Child exploring Speke Hall's bug hotel

50 things to do before you’re 11¾

Enjoy the great outdoors and get closer to nature with our '50 things' list of ultimate activities for young adventurers. No matter the season, Speke Hall is the perfect place to see how many you can tick off. Head into the woods to get to know a tree (No.1), join nature's band by playing our woodland musical instruments (No.25) or pay a visit to the Kitchen Garden's bug hotel to make friends with some creepy-crawlies (No.31).