Activities for families at Speke Hall

Visitors exploring the Hedge Maze at Speke Hall, Liverpool | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

There's always adventure to be had at Speke Hall, whenever you visit. 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.

Planning your family visit

Things to see and do

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 at the picnic tables overlooking the gated play area, which includes a wheelchair-accessible roundabout.

Explore the hedge maze

Will you find your way out of the giant hedge maze? Designed by the world’s leading expert in maze construction, Adrian Fisher, there are 12 gates, five bridges, four finger mazes, three weathervanes and a viewing platform waiting to be discovered. Treat the far-reaching view of the River Mersey from the platform as a reward.

Zoom along on the new zip wire

Get ready for a hair-raising adventure in the woodland play area with our ever popular zip wire. It's 30-feet long and offers countless hours of fun for your children.

Child using a rope swing in the grounds at Speke Hall, Garden and Estate, Merseyside. 1088277 — Having fun on the zip wire in the grounds at Speke Hall. | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Follow the Giant Childe of Hale trail

Begin a woodland adventure at the sculptured play trail, based on the local legend of John Middleton who was supposedly 9 feet 3 inches 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 is pram friendly.

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 a wobbly wood-and-chain bridge, a hill of stepping stones and outdoor balancing obstacles. Can you make it all the way around?

‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’

No matter the season, Speke Hall is the perfect place to see how many activities you can tick off your '50 things' list. 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).