Speke Hall

Speke Hall is a timber-framed Tudor house on the southern edge of Liverpool, set in gardens, orchard and semi-ancient woodland that run down towards the River Mersey. Inside, families can look round the Great Hall, the kitchen and the rooms furnished in the Victorian style, with stories about the Norris family and a priest hole to find. Outdoors there is a hedge maze, gated and woodland play areas with a zip wire, a large lawn for running about, and a range of marked walks, including an easy coastal route for children. Home Farm serves meals and snacks, and there is a second-hand bookshop. Much of the estate is free to wander, so it suits a relaxed family afternoon as well as a longer visit with older children interested in history.