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.
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.
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.
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.
LOCATION
Situated on the A576 about 5 miles north
of Manchester city centre. Local buses (135) and Metrolink station
nearby.
OPENING
Park: The
park opens daily at 8.00am and all park gates are locked by
dusk.
Cafés:
The Boathouse Pavilion Cafe is open daily from 9.00am all year
round till late afternoon serving hot food. Golf Cafe &
Bar is open to members of the public and golfers from around
9.15am Monday to Friday in summer and from 8.00am at weekends.
Winter from Monday to Friday only with earlier closing. The
Hidden Gem Cafe is open at the same time as the Horticultural
Centre, see below.
Animal Centre:
open every day from mid-morning to mid-afternoon - phone for
seasonal opening times.
Farm Centre:
open daily from 900 am and closing around 6.00pm with closing
at dusk in winter.
Horticultural Centre:
The Hidden Gem Garden Centre is open daily from 10.00am until
5.00pm in the summer, closing half an hour before the park closing
time at other times of the year (see above). The centre sells
a variety of seasonal plants and has a cafe that serves beverages
and cakes.
General Office: The
office is staffed from 9.00am till 4.00pm Monday to Friday.
Tram Museum:
Trams run Sundays and most Bank Holidays from 12 noon to 5.00pm
all year round. For further information please visit The Tram
Museum or see their website at www.mtms.org.uk.
Rowing Boats: these
operate on the Lake from April until the end of September from
10.00am till 4.00pm weekdays and until 6.00pm at weekends. In
Winter operations are dependant on the weather conditions.
ADMISSION
Admission is free. The Orangery can be
booked for functions.
Telephone: 0161-773 1085
