speke hall

We visited Speke over the weekend and have never met such unfriendly staff. I don't normally complain but I simply can't tolerate rudeness and don't appreciate being tutted at for complaining of a lack of toilet paper in the toilets! To be fair to the ladies and gents working in the house, they were very friendly and welcoming, the rest of the staff should take a leaf out of their book! The children's play area is nice and the maze is great fun.If you plan to visit the restaurant, the sandwiches are very expensive so maybe take your own. We always like to buy cake at national trust properties, so at two o clock it was "cake on"! I'm not sure what was more disappointing, the cake (the slice was tiny) or the cost of what we ordered. At least Dick Turpin wore a mask!

I visited Speke Hall this afternoon with my family 8 adults and 5 kids. We started with a trip round the Hall where the kids completed Metal Mickeys Mysteries where the staff went out there way to help and involve the children. Then we went to the Home Farm Restaurant and had lunch Potato and Leek Soup, Scouse, Pan Haggarty, Sausage& Mash. All served hot and together for a party of 13 I thought was really great! Some finished with the scones, jam and cream all homemade and delicious. Then off to the woodland trail which the kids really enjoyed. On the way out signed up for a yearly membership for lots more visits to Speke Hall. Thank you for a lovely day

All's I can say is that myself and my grandchildren had a fabulous day over the feb half term such lovely staff in all areas so much help from start to finish the house was fab. The children loved the waking up the house and oh my gosh the food in the restaurant was delicious my favourite was the chocolate cake and the kids loved the little lunch boxes with chocolate crispy cakes , I would definitely recommend Speke Hall so much to see and do you wont be disappointed.

Having just returned home from my third visit to Speke Hall since the opening day 2015 (National Trust member) with my granddaughters on a visit from Cumbria. The house and formal gardens as always wonderful. However, most of the paid staff especially in tea rooms and restaurant were very sullen (not a good image for the Trust). The courtyard on the way in very dreary, only the same old patio brushes outside and a few tea light holders added. The staff in the shop must be slipping this year(it did save me a small fortune,as the girls did not even ask to go in). On a more serious note, the rubbish in the woodland walk area/children's play area, also visable from the bund is still there (red broken slide blue plastic bike, candles holders, fire residue and some plastic bags containing what? If that was not enough the string placed across to 2 trees at just the right hight to injur a child was unbelievable in children's play area. Come on National Trust this it not what is expected. Senior and junior managers get out there and see what is going on.

I like speke hall as I used to work there and i still volunteer there too the house is still amazing everytime I go the gardens are amazing and well kept by the gardeners theres walks around the estate watching the airport and the Mersey walk too the restaurant is excellent too you must try it sometime

Recently visited Speke Hall with my partner and 2 children. Really welcoming staff who were very helpful and very informative, the place is just a pleasure to visit. After our lovely walk around and the kids exploring we visited the restaurant for some afternoon tea and cake. The staff in the restaurant are so friendly and really attentive to our children. Iv just got to mention the cake, that was the best cake that I've ever tasted. You can really tell it's all home made so moist and tasty really hit the spot and a lovely ending to our visit. We all had a lovely day and will definitely be joining up to a membership.

Speke Hall is a great day out for the family. Plenty to do in the holidays as they put on activities (check their website for details). Last year my children loved the treasure hunt, orienteering, the Alice in Wonderland themed event (played crochet with the Queen of Hearts!!) archery and playing Victorian games in the gardens of the Hall. They also love to go into the hall and dress up, the staff there are great when in character and make it very interesting. There is a recently installed children's play adventure area hidden away in the woods, which includes a zipwire, den building area and climbing/balance beams, all made with trees :) The other play area is in the first garden next to the maze (which also provides plenty of entertainment!). From here you also get a good view of the planes at Speke airport landing/taking off. There is a cafe and sometimes a seperate ice cream stall in peak season/hot weather. I find the cafe to be expensive, but you can also take a picnic to eat in the grounds. There is a small gift shop there and toilets too right by the entrance/exit. Toilets also near the house and other ice cream shop. Often there are extra activities in the craft/games room too. There are plenty of gardens to stroll / run round too and enjoy whatever the season. I believe they do many events there now too, weddings, Christmas etc, The Mother's Day afternoon tea looks good I might book! Enjoy if you go (There is a charge, but National Trust holders admitted for free as well as residents of the local area - check website) Large car park only short walk to entrance. Check opening times as mostly shut on Mondays I think.

Visited Speke hall yesterday. Really good day out for all the family 8 year old and 12 year old. Had a walk around the extensive grounds that had planned walking routes, 2 play areas for the children, picnic areas and a small maze. Food in restaurant/cafe was very good. Had a look around the house, staff were very friendly and very informative, worth a look around. Enjoyed our day out there, would visit again.

We visited on the first day of the "new season". The lady on reception was very friendly and pointed us in the right direction for the house and cafe etc. We took a guided tour that was very informative and the people in the house were very friendly and didn't mind answering lots of questions from our children! We took our own lunch but went to the restaurant for a drink and cake. We commented to the girl that the cake was quite dry and jokingly said they should sack the person who made it, she said most of the cakes are bought in frozen!!! They should make it clear which things are homemade and which ones are bought in frozen, it's very misleading! The man driving the transit van with the oak Leaf on needs to slow down, almost ran my little girl over. The shop had quite a nice selection of things (mostly standard national trust items) but it would have been nice if the staff actually acknowledged our presence. Needless to say we didn't buy anything!

Visited on Friday in 1/2 term and whilst I appreciate the house has only just opened for the season, the outer grounds were a tad shabby with litter and there was far too much furniture in the house under covers. On both counts I'm afraid we couldn't help but find Speke Hall wanting in comparison to another NT property we visited the same week, actually on the the DAY they opened, which had beautifully tended grounds (everywhere) and not a dust sheet in sight. We decided Speke Hall for all its outward tudor beauty and formal garden had been very underwhelming by comparison.We were pleased we made the journey though, as we discovered a little gem of a vegan cafe en route: The Old Hardware Shop in Woolton. Will definitely return to the latter!

The hall itself was very interesting, the staff in each room informative and there were interactive activities to engage children such as silver polishing and a treasure hunt type quiz. Had tea & cakes in the restaurant- very nice and gluten free options for my partner.

Well worth a visit, been twice now. Very atmospheric building, with knowledgable but not intrusive attendants, lovely grounds too.

Speke Hall is and has always been a favourite place of mine.Speke Hall is a hidden Gem.Because of its locality it is not in the usual tourist trail,which is a shame as it is a magnificent example of Tudor architecture. The grounds surrounding Speke Hall are great for children to explore. Behind Speke Hall runs the Bund a raised area overlooking the River Mersey from here it is possible to watch planes taking off and arriving at John Lennon Airport,from the tranquil surroundings of the Hall a strange mixture of old world and new.The house itself is fascinating with its history of priests hides holes and old oak trees Adam and Eve. The cafe and shop both very good and the children's play area a welcome addition.Golf buggies are available for those who have mobility problems.There are many special event days throughout the year to add to your enjoyment...vintage cars,Easter egg hunt ,Christmas Festivities and outdoor theatre.All in all something for everyone.

Lovely well preserved house. So much to see inside the house. Thank god the National trust exists for places like this.

Great tour around the house and very informative. Very pretty gardens and a good walk beyond the boundary towards John Lennon airport and back to the house.