Explore the gardens at Speke Hall

Woman sits reading in the garden at speke — Find a perfect spot to unwind

The gardens at Speke Hall are filled with colour and history, as well as spots to relax and feel close to nature. There's always something new to discover as you explore one of the best places to go for a walk in Merseyside and the North West.

You don't need to pre-book and we're open every day, 10.30am-5pm. Entry to the gardens is free for National Trust members and under 5s, admission fees apply to non-members.

Family running alongside the topiary hedges surrounding the Tudor house

Visiting Speke Hall: what you need to know

You no longer need to book your visit to Speke Hall. To make the most of your day, please read the information in this article carefully before visiting and help us make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

What you can see this summer

North Lawn

The North Lawn is the ideal spot for striking views of the front of the hall and exploring the paths around the old moat, surrounded by lush topiary that has been shaped to perfection by our garden team. Summer highlights include the sea of heather at the bottom of the lawn with its purples, mauves and summery scent. Take a seat on one of the benches and soak it all in. It's a perfect spot for picnics and sunbathing. If you're feeling adventurous, head down the path along the west side of the house to spot a metasequia glyptstroboides - a rare tree with distinctive bark, once thought to be extinct.

A couple sitting on a bench relaxing in the gardens at Speke Hall, surrounded by hydrangeas — Admire the hydrangeas on Speke Hall's South Lawn in summer

South Lawn

Walk in the footsteps of Speke Hall's 19th century residents as you stroll around the South Lawn. In July-August, a colourful array of hydrangeas pop up along the path and a bee-friendly lavender bed adds a dash of vibrant purple along the house. Elsewhere, tall topiary line the paths and giant monkey puzzle trees tower over the manicured lawns.

Rose Garden

In the corner of the South Lawn, you'll find the Victorian formal rose garden. In July and August, it's awash with the floribunda variety of rose, which was popular in Victorian times and enjoyed by Speke Hall’s last owner Adelaide Watt. The Margaret Meryl white roses have the strongest fragrance, while the peachy Amber Queen, Tickled Pink and iridescent Pearl Drift roses add plenty of colour.

Kitchen Garden

Step into the Kitchen Garden to see what produce is popping out of the soil. This summer, the beds are full to the brim with produce thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and best of all, most of it will end up in the dishes we serve in the restaurant. Highlights include colourful sweet peas climbing the frames, salads of every sort in our new no-dig raised beds and our pollinator-friendly flower border. Don't forget to peek into the glass house to see what's growing inside. You can also witness the beautiful herbaceous border outside the Kitchen Garden overflowing with colour.

Secret Garden

This hidden oasis in the north west corner of Speke Hall's grounds is a magical place, accessible via a narrow enticing tunnel at one end and a winding path at the other. The gentle stream running through it makes the Secret Garden a haven for some of Speke's wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for frogs and birds. One of the highlights here is a rare (and previously thought to be extinct) Wollemi pine or 'dinosaur tree', a species which was in the news in late 2019 when the small area where the tree originates from in Australia was threatened by devastating bushfires.

The Secret Garden was newly restored in 2017 thanks to generous donations from the Alan Evans Memorial Trust, Crosby National Trust Association, Oldham and District National Trust Association and the Chester and District National Trust Association.

Gardener working in the Kitchen Garden at Speke Hall

Thank you

Your support helps Speke Hall's garden to grow. Every time you visit and every penny you spend while you're here gives our garden team and volunteers the support they need to care for this special place.

Make the most of your visit

Visitors enjoying a cup of tea in Speke Hall's restaurant

Eating at Speke Hall

Whether you're looking to take a refreshing drink on your woodland walk or enjoy a tasty lunch before exploring the gardens, Home Farm restaurant is open every day, 10.30am-4.30pm, for you to grab a drink or bite to eat. We're serving hot food, sandwiches, soups, cakes and bakes, kids lunchboxes, ice cream and hot and cold drinks. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.

Visitors exploring the Hedge Maze at Speke Hall, Liverpool

Family fun at Speke Hall

There's so much to explore with your family in the grounds of Speke Hall that it may take more than one visit to fit it all in! Run wild in our two play areas or dare to explore the Giant Childe of Hale play trail.

A man sat at a picnic table with his brown dog standing on the table top, looking into the distance.

Bringing your dog to Speke Hall

Planning on bringing your dog to Speke Hall? Dogs on leads are more than welcome in most areas of our grounds, but there are a few things you need to know.