Exploring the estate at Tatton Park

Red deer at Tatton Park, Cheshire — Red deer at Tatton Park | © Tatton Park/Craig Bailey

With sweeping landscapes and 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of parkland to explore, there’s plenty to see and do on this grand country estate. See the deer freely wander, enjoy a range of outdoor activities and stop by Tatton Park’s oldest building, the Old Hall, on one of the open days, new for this year. Go to www.tattonpark.org.uk/events for more details.

The parkland at Tatton Park

Discover the vision of landscape architect Humphry Repton (1752–1818) as you walk through the parkland at Tatton Park.

The deer park at Tatton was created by Royal Charter in 1290. Today the parkland is home to herds of ancient red and fallow deer and rare Hebridean and Soay sheep. The Hebridean sheep is one of the oldest existing flocks on record, dating from 1887. The Soay sheep is a smaller, primitive breed that is thought to have been farmed as long ago as the Bronze Age, and there's evidence that people lived here during that period.

Every season in the parkland brings its own rich variety of birds and wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled as you explore the meres, woodlands and rough grassland, which each provide a perfect habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna.

From 1 May 2024, all dogs must be kept on a lead within the Parkland until 31 July 2024, due to increased incidences of dog attacks on deer calves, pregnant hinds and sheep.

For more information visit the Tatton Park website.

View of Tatton Old Hall in the parkland near Tatton Mere at Tatton Park, Cheshire. The Old Hall was built around 1520 for the Brereton family and sold in 1598 to Sir Thomas Egerton. — Tatton Old Hall | © National Trust Images/Mark Fiennes

The Old Hall at Tatton Park

New this year, visit the Old Hall on one of the new open days on selected dates from 10 May - 21 September. The Old Hall stands near the remnants of Tatton village, whose humps and hollows show where houses once stood. The Old Hall survives as Tatton Park’s oldest building, dating back to around 1520. The single-storey great hall, dimly lit by tallow candle and flickering fire, transports you back to its Tudor beginnings.

Tatton Park's Old Hall today

As featured on TV's Most Haunted, standing in its own grounds, within the parkland beside the site of the long disappeared medieval Tatton village, the Old Hall is Tatton’s oldest surviving building.

Originally built by the powerful Stanley family the Hall’s Tudor heyday gave way to a slower pace of life as it was superseded by the new 18th century Mansion.

Throughout the year its rich history sets the scene for many educational workshops and group tours as part of Tatton Park’s varied learning programme.

For parkland and Old Hall special events visit Tatton Park’s events page.