HISTORIC HALLS

Adlington Hall was built the forest of Macclesfield in 1040 and reflects the history of the Legh family. Features include two oak trees and a 17th century organised played by Father Bernard Smith and once played by Handel. Visitors can also walk around the gardens landscaped in the style of Capability Brown with a variety of rhododentrons and azaleas. There is also the Temple to Diana, the Shell Cottage, Chinese Bridge and T'ing house and a recently planted rose garden and maze to view. Open June and July, Monday to Wednesday 2pm to 5pm.

ARLEY HALL AND GARDENS, Arley, Northwich, Cheshire. Ring 01565 777353. An early Jacobean-Victorian hall on the site of a earlier Tudor hall with splendid wood panelling, plasterwork and library. The gardens feature double herbaceous borders, 2 walled gardens, Rootree, a unique topiary and clipped tree avenues. Open until September 30 (except Mondays). Various opening times - check with venue.

ASTLEY HALL MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Astley Park, Chorley. Ring 01257 515555. Experience life in times of Tudor and early Stuart England with a visit to this hall which is built around a central courtyard containing a unique collection of furniture. In the Great Hall stands the Sir Loin Chir, reputed to have been used by King James I. Open Tuesday to Friday (except Mondays) to October 31, noon to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4pm.

BRAMHALL HALL, Bramhall Park, Bramhall. Ring 0161 485 3708. A magical Tudor manor-house set in a parkland with lakes, woods and gardens. The house contains 16th century wall paintings, Elizabethan fine plaster ceilings, Victorian kitchens and servants quarters. Open to September 30, Monday to Saturday, 1pm to 5pm and Sunday, 11am to 5pm.

BROWSHOLME HALL, Clitheroe, Lancashire. Ring 01254 826719. A family home containing fine examples of oak panelling, pictures and armour dating back to 1507. Open to August 26, 2pm to 4pm.

CAPESTHORNE HALL, Siddington, Cheshire. Ring 01625 861221. The much-loved home where the Bromley-Davenports and their ancestors, the Capesthornes and the Wards have lived since Domesday times. The houses includes a variety of treasures including fine paintings, furniture, marbles, Greek vases and family miniments. Open to October 31.

COTTAGE MUSEUM, 15 Castle Hill, Lancaster. Ring 01524 646637. A period cottage built in 1739 set out in its reduced form dating back to about 1820 and furnished accordingly. Especially attractive to children. Open daily to September 30, 2pm to 5pm.

DORFOLD HALL, Nantwich, Cheshire. Ring 01270 625245. A Jacobean house built in 1616, with beautifully plastered ceilings, oak panelling and a woodland garden. Open to October, 2pm to 5pm.

DUNHAM MASSEY HALL PARK AND GARDENS, Altrincham. Ring 0161 941 1025. An 18th Century mansion set in 25 acres of wooded deer park. The house includes furniture, paintings and silver. Other features include an Elizabethan mill, a large garden with shrubs, mature trees, moa and canals with waterside plants. Open to November 4, Saturday to Wednesday, noon to 5pm.

GAWSWORTH HALL, Gawsworth, Cheshire. Ring 01260 223456. A Tudor half-timbered manor house with tilting ground, an open-air theatre and covered grand providing plays from June to August. The hall displays pictures, sculpture and furniture. Open to June 16 and September 1 to October 7, Sunday to Wednesday, 2pm to 5pm and June 17 to August 31, 2pm to 5pm.

GAWTHORPE HALL AND ESTATE BLOCK, Padiham, Lancashire. Ring 01282 771004. A house built in 1600 and restored by Sir Charles Berry in the 1850s. The hall houses a textile collection displaying a broad programme of art and craft. Open to October 31, Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday and Sunday, 1pm to 5pm.

HALL I'TH'WOOD, off Green Way, Crompton Way, Bolton. Ring 01204 332370. A hall built in 1485 and extended in 1648 with a display of fine Stuart and Regency furniture, a Lancashire kitchen and personal items belonging to Samuel Crompton. Open daily to September (except Mondays) 11am to 5pm and Sunday, 2pm to 5pm.

Heaton HALL, Heaton Park, Prestwich. Ring 0161 773 1231. A neo-classical Grade I listed builting set in 650 acres of parkland and containing paintings, furniture and plasterowrk. Other features include The Music Room with the original Samuel Green Organ and a unique circular Pompeiian Room. Open to October.

HESKIN HALL ANTIQUES, Wood Lane, Heskin. Ring 01257 452044. A Tudor manor-house situated in 8 acres of grounds housing an antique centre and restaurant. Open daily, 10am to 5.30pm.

LEIGHTON HALL, Carnforth, Lancashire. Ring 01524 734474. An historic hall featuring famous furniture from the Gillow family, fine paintings and a 19th Century walled garden set in a parkland against a backdrop of the Lakeland fells. Open to September 30, Tuesday to Friday and Sunday, 2pm to 5pm and during August from noon to 5pm.

LITTLE MORETON HALL, Congleton, Cheshire. Ring 01260 272018. A moated manor-house with an Elizabethan long gallery where ghosts still walk and a cobbled courtyard and gardens. Open to November 4, Wednesday to Sunday, 110.3am to 5pm.

LYME PARK, Disley, Cheshire. Ring 01663 762023. A blend of Elizabethan, Georgian and Regency architecture and staterooms filled with the finest furniture and paintings set in 17 acres of historic gardens ranging from wild moorland to parkland. Open to October 30, Friday to Tuesday 1pm to 5pm and gardens open Wednesday to Thursday, 1pm to 5pm.

MEOLS HALL, Churchtown, Southport. Ring 01704 228326. Enjoy a guided tour of the house with a traditional afternoon tea in the recently refurbished 400 year old barn. Open to September 14, 10am to 5pm.

PEOVER HALL, Peover Estate, Over Peover, Cheshire. Ring 01565 722656. A fully-furnished Elizabethan manor-house with Carolean stables and gardens. The house was General Patton's 3rd Army Headquarters for their first 6 month stay in Britain during World War II. Open to October 31. Hall open Monday, 2pm to 5pm and garden Thursday, 2pm to 5pm.

RUFFORD OLD HALL, Rufford, Lancashire. Ring 01704 821254. A timber-framed Tudor hall in late medieval style featuring an ornate hammer beam roof and screen, 17th Century oak furniture, 16th Century arms, armour and tapestries. Open to November 4, Saturday to Wednesday, house open 1pm to 5pm and gardens noon to 5.30pm.

SAMLESBURY HALL, Preston New Road, Samlesbury. Ring 01254 812010. A black and white oak-timbered medieval manor house dating back to 1325. Features include a chapel, Long Gallery and Minstrels Gallery with bow-fronted window. Open daily (except Mondays) 11am to 4.30pm.

Smithills HALL MUSEUM, Smithills Dean Road, Bolton. Ring 01204 332377. One of the oldest manor houses in Lancashire featuring a great hall and kitchen dating back to the 14th Century and a Victorian west wing. Open to September, Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sunday 2pm to 5pm.

SPEKE HALL, The Walk, Liverpool, Merseyside. Ring 0151 427 7231. A half-timbered house dating from 1530 and featuring fine Jacobean plasterwork and intricately-carved furniture, a fully-equipped Victorian kitchen and servants hall, rose garden and stream garden. Open to October 31, Wednesday to Sunday 1pm to 5pm.

STANLEY PALACE, Watergate Street, Chester. Ring 01244 325586. A late 16th Century townhouse with original beams and floors, 18th Century panelling and plaster ceiling and containing period furniture of historical interest. Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.

SUDLEY HOUSE, Mossley Hill Road, Mossley Hill, Merseyside. Ring 0151 724 3245. The former home of Victorian ship owner George Holt featuring his fine collection of 18th and 19th Century art. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday noon to 5pm.

TATTON PARK, Knutsford, Cheshire. Ring 01625 534400. A Georgian mansion featuring art treasurers and original furnishings bringing the Middle Ages to life. Other features include the magnificent gardens, an adventure playground and speciality food shop.

Turton TOWER, Chapeltown Road, Turton. Ring 01204 852203. A medieval tower and Tudor country house with 16th Century Stuart and Victorian rooms and a fine collection of furniture from the Victoria and Albert Museum.