Vigorous Victorians: Summer at Speke Hall

Speke Hall is the place to head for inspiring historical escapades and outdoor adventuring of the highest order this summer with Vigorous Victorians.

Set on the banks of the river Mersey, Speke is a welcoming refuge from the city. Let loose in the beautiful grounds complete with ancient trees and dry moat to tumble around.

Taking inspiration from Adelaide Watt who inherited Speke when she turned 21 in 1878 and stood alone to progress and protect the house and grounds from the encroaching city,  take part in creative pursuits celebrating Adelaide and her contemporaries.

Learn more about author Mary Shelley (Frankenstein), Millicent Fawcett (Suffragist), Ada Lovelace (mathematician and computing visionary), Mary Anning (paleontologist) and Beatrix Potter (writer, illustrator and conservationist who left her property to the National Trust and who is credited with preserving much of the land which is now the Lake District National Park).

What a gang.

Take part in tours, crafts and stories inspired by their lives. Help to track down dinosaurs, create flying machines, make sufragette sashes and maybe even “meet” these inspirational ladies in the flesh.

Outdoors there is a maze to wind your way round complete with viewing platforms for picnics , airplanes and vistas to the river. We love the local legend that is the Giant Childe of Hale whose story you can follow in a woodland trail between a playground and large woodland play area.

This picture-perfect, rare Tudor timber-framed manor house, restored in the 19th century is of endless fascination for big and little kids alike. Step through the atmospheric doorway to experience a completely one-of-a-kind mix of breathtaking Tudor and Victorian Arts and Crafts styles complete with both awe-inspiring Great Hall and original William Morris wallpaper. There’s a trail for kids to spot key clues around the house and some main attractions including views to a secret priest’s hole, a clandestine watch-spot from a bedroom chimney and an actual eavesdrop (hole under the eaves) all designed to counter any threat or subterfuge in Tudor times.

We also love that it was once a cow shed (before Adeleide Watt’s family sorted it out again) and is also said to be really haunted.