Heaton
Park, Prestwich, Manchester M25 5SW.
Tel:
0161-773 1231.
Fax: 0161-235 8805
Minicom: 0161-235 8893
The
Hall is normally open from the end of March to the end of September
from Thursday to Sunday and Bank Holidays - 10.00am-5.00pm.
Said
to be one of the finest houses in what was called Lancashire,
(and now in Manchester), it is also the largest municipal park
in Europe - 650 acres, with a 10 acre boating lake built in
1914, ornamental ponds, a full size golf course (no membership
required), and with a resident golf professional. Equipment
can be hired. Fabulous and extensive gardens. A popular visitor
attraction on hot summer days and brisk winter mornings.
Its
"Pets Corner" supports a large variety of animals, including
rare breeds of cattle, ponies, a shire horse, pigs, sheep, unusually
brightly coloured poultry. Horse riding available at the stables.
The
park originally laid out by William Emes, a student of the famous
Lancelot "Capability" Brown. It is well worth taking the free
guided tour on Saturdays so as not to miss the many features
that the Park has to offer. In the summer on Sundays take a
ride on the single-decker tram, or the vintage double-decker
bus, both of which were once operated by Manchester Corporation.
Facilities:
Walks in the park in summer or winter are bracing, the roads
and paths are well laid out and easily accessible. Toilets are
available in the park. There are ample parking areas at most
of the entrances. In the summer months refreshments and snacks
are available.
There
are refreshment and catering facilities within the Heaton Park
stables located about 100 yards from the Hall.
Disabled
visitors are welcomed but wheelchair access is only available
on the ground floor, The nearest accessible toilets are situated
100 yards from the house - there are no baby changing facilities.
Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome.
There
are many facilities and attractions within the Park including
the Horticultural Centre, Farm Centre, Tram Museum, woodland,
boating lake, golf course and lots of sports and leisure activities.
There
is a full programme of outdoor events throughout the year. Photography
is not permitted within the Hall. The Hall is available for
corporate events -phone for details.
HEATON
HALL
With it's high quality decor and paintings. Rooms open to the
public, including the Cupola, (originally Lady Egerton's dressing-room)
which has mirrored walls and a domed ceiling, styled in the
1770s 'Pompeiian' style -so rare that there are only three such
rooms left in Britain.
In the music room an 18th century organ fills one wall, Horse
racing was held at Heaton hall from 1825 to 1837, and a painting
depicting one of the meetings can be seen in the Library.
HISTORY
Heaton Hall had been own by the Holland family since the middle
ages. In 1684, when Sir John Egerton married Elizabeth Holland,
the hall came to the Egerton family.
The
present Hall was built by Sir Thomas Egerton who was made the
first Earl of Wilton in 1801. The original paintings and furniture
were auctioned off in 1902 when the hall and park were sold
to Manchester Corporation, so that not all of the paintings
and furnishings are original - many were brought in from the
City Council's art galleries, after its purchase.
LOCATION
& OPENING
Situated on the A576 about 5 miles from City Centre. Local buses
and Metrolink station nearby.
ADMISSION
Admission is free. The Orangery can be booked for functions.
Telephone : 0161 773 1085
