Leighton Hall lays out Red Carpet for Visitors in Jubilee Year

Leighton Hall Lays out Red Carpet for Visitors in Jubilee Year

New season preparations at Carnforth’s Leighton Hall brings different tasks than at other historic houses. Instead of opening shutters and pulling off dust sheets, it’s time to clear away the tea things, and pop muddy wellies behind the door as the hall is lived in by the family all year round.

The seat of the Gillow furniture making dynasty to this very day, Leighton is very much the family home it has been for centuries. A huge part of the charm is that nothing is ‘roped off’, with visitors on the entertaining house tours invited to sit on the family sofa, climb the elegant ‘flying staircase’ and take their place at the priceless Gillow extending table.

Admission includes a tour of the house, as well as full access to the 19th century walled garden, and birds of prey display (weather permitting). With a maze and playground, insect corner and tree face trail, there’s lots of space for younger visitors to run off their energy in the gardens.

Everyone can get their breath back in the charming tearooms, with light refreshments, delicious homemade cakes, and tea served in ‘real’ china cups and saucers- just like one of the family!

Open for day visitors between 2pm and 5pm every Tuesday-Thursday from May 3rd to September 29th, special events include Craft Workshops, Outdoor Cinema and Theatre Productions, After Dark Specials, Plant Fair, Classic Car and Motorcycle events. Opening is extended to Fridays and Sundays during August’s “family month”, to fit in lots of extra fun days and activities.

To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, ‘Leighton Live’ (curated by the team behind Lancaster’s successful ‘Highest Point’ festival) is a three day musical extravaganza featuring huge headliners UB40, Sister Sledge, The Ministry of Sound Disco and The Halle Orchestra. More details at www.leightonhall.co.uk

Owner Suzie Reynolds says “It might mean tidying away our clutter, but since the hall first opened to visitors over sixty years ago, we love the excitement of planning events and welcoming back visitors every spring. With flower beds blooming, resident bees buzzing, birds of prey swooping, and planting 30,000 new trees, as part of the Queen’s Jubilee ‘Green Canopy’, we often hear people say one visit is never enough, so we’re delighted to make a return visit that bit more tempting!”

Local residents from postcode areas LA1 to LA14 qualify for a purse-pleasing 50% off standard entry, thanks to Leighton’s free Seasonal Resident Pass initiative. Just complete the online form at www.leightonhall.co.uk and bring a current utility bill when you visit.