Our hall and gardens trail
Enjoy an easy stroll and take in views of the stunning Tudor hall from every angle. This short walk will show you the restored gardens - full of interest and colour all year round.
Map
Start:
Home Farm Courtyard, outside Reception, grid ref: SJ421824
1
Start your walk in the courtyard with the buildings behind you, facing out across the maze and the River Mersey. Take the path to the right around the bottom edge of the restaurant.
The Hall
Enjoy views of it from every angle on this short walk.
2
Follow the path around the orchard. This was formerly the site of a large range of farm buildings which were demolished in the 1880s when Adelaide Watt built the current Home Farm building. Go left at the end of the path.
3
Walk down towards the small timber-framed Stable Block. This is the remnant of a much larger barn, possibly dating back to the 1600s, but was converted in 1868 into stabling for six horses. Take the path straight ahead into the formal gardens.
4
This path takes you around the edge of the South Lawn which has recently been restored by us to its Victorian glory. The borders contains a variety of flowering shrubs in the Victorian taste, including lilacs, viburnums and mop-headed hydrangeas.
5
To your right is a fine view of the South Range of the Hall. Although the ridge of the roof is a continous line, the differing heights of the gables and chimney stacks show that there were two distinct phases to the construction.
Rose Garden
If you want to take a closer look at the sights and scents of the Rose Garden, why not take a short detour up to it at point 5 before continuing back on your route around the Hall?
6
This path takes you parallel to the West Range of the Hall. Look over the holly hedge and down; it may be a tidy stretch of green lawn now but it was a moat for hundreds of years. The moat was still in existence in 1781 and this area remained damp and boggy throughout the 1800s.
Tudor weather-proofing
The weather-boarding on the West Range may not look typically Tudor but it has always been a feature of this side of the house as it suffers so much from the prevailing winds coming in across the Mersey.
7
The path now runs along the front of the Hall. This range was the last section of the building to be completed - see the inscription over the front door for proof of how proud Edward Norris was of his newly completed home. At this point you can sit and admire the view on the bridge, go into the house and learn more about this stunning building or carry on along the path to complete your walk.
Edward's Enthusiasm
Edward Norris was so pleased to have completed the house that he put his name on it!
8
This short section of path will lead you back around to the Stable Block where the walk ends. It's a brief stroll back around the Orchard to Home Farm if you wish to visit the shop, restaurant, maze or play area.
End:
Outside the Stable Block, grid ref: SJ419825
