Winter at Speke Hall

Visitors walking on the North Lawn at Speke Hall

Enjoy a refreshing winter walk, pick up a warming treat from the restaurant or go on an adventure in the gardens and woodland. There's plenty to see and do on a day out at Speke Hall this winter.

We're open every day of the week, 10.30am-4pm. Entry is free for National Trust members and under 5s, admission charges apply to non-members.



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.

Plan your visit
Visitors to Speke Hall

Enjoy a winter stroll 

Grab your scarf and gloves and escape to Speke Hall's gardens and woodland for a refreshing walk as this special place is transformed into a winter wonderland. Climb up the Bund path to spot migratory birds and catch the early sunsets, stroll around the South Lawn to admire a frosty Speke Hall or grab a hot chocolate to-go from Home Farm before exploring the magical ancient woodland.

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

Warm up with a tasty treat 

Shake off the cold and visit Home Farm to find the perfect place to tuck into hearty food, delicious treats and warming hot drinks. From a tasty bowl of Scouse and seasonal soups to a slice of Wet Nelly, you can enjoy a taste of Speke every day of the week. We also offer special kids lunchboxes that will please even the fussiest eater. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.

Visitors exploring the Hedge Maze at Speke Hall, Liverpool

Play and explore

Let the kids loose on the slides and climbing frames in the gated play area or run wild in the woodland play area. Enter the hedge maze to discover gates, bridges and a viewing platform looking over the Mersey. Don't forget to follow the Childe of Hale trail and explore a world of snoring giants, vegetable musical instruments and optical illusions.

Dog walkers at Speke Hall

Bring your dog 

From the wide open space of the North Lawn to the woodland trails in Stockton's Wood, there are plenty of paths across Speke Hall's garden and estate to explore with your four-legged friends. Dogs on leads are welcome on most areas, except for the play areas and Childe of Hale trail.

Snowdrops in January

Speke's nature highlights this winter

There's still plenty of colour to enjoy in Speke's garden and estate in winter, from bundles of red berries along the Bund path to a sea of newly-planted snowdrops on the South Lawn. Robins are a familiar sight around the garden and a venture onto the Coastal Reserve will reward you with sights of overwintering dunlin, curlew and black tailed godwits on the banks of the Mersey.

Winter cleaning and conservation at Speke Hall

What's happening in the house?

Over the winter season, we're continuing to carry out our conservation work to care for the house and its historic collections, including the annual winter clean and an important project to upgrade our fire protection. Swipe below to find out more about this significant project and follow us on social media @NTSpekeHall to see some behind-the-scenes action.

Behind the scenes

A person climbing into through a small doorway in the attic at Speke Hall
The top of an old chimney in the attic at Speke Hall
A view of the hatch into Speke Hall's priest hole from the attic
©National Trust Images/Andreas von Einsiedel
Visitor entering Speke Hall

Upgrading our fire protection

We’ve been hard at work creating detailed plans of the house in order to identify any risks of fire spreading and damaging this special place. Now, this winter, we’re carefully carrying out work to reduce these risks.

A Tudor house has many holes

One of the main concerns when protecting a historic house like Speke Hall from potential fire damage is to reduce the ability for fire to spread. We can do this by compartmentalising the house i.e. filling up any holes.

Being sympathetic to Speke's history

As part of this work, it’s important any additions or alterations are sympathetic to the character of the house or what was there before, such as upgrading this hatch leading to the historic priest hole with a fire proof alternative.

Layers of history in the attic

Speke Hall was built in stages over several decades and the attic is where the Tudor mansion’s wings come together. This is where you’ll find everything from old chimney flues and crawl spaces to electrical wiring.

Your support makes this happen

This work wouldn't be possible without the funds we receive every time you visit Speke Hall, treat yourself in the restaurant or become a member. Thank you for helping us to preserve this special place for future generations to enjoy.

Admiring the Witch Hazel in Dunham Massey's Winter Garden

Winter days out in the North West 

Make the most of your membership, discover somewhere new on your doorstep, or blow away those winter cobwebs at National Trust places in the North West.

Find out more