Exploring the garden and estate at Speke Hall

The South Range of the house with black & white timberwork at Speke Hall, Merseyside. The Rose garden is in the foreground. — Take a moment to smell the roses at Speke Hall in summer | © ©National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

The garden at Speke Hall is filled with colour and history, and there are plenty of spots to relax and feel close to nature on the estate. There's always something new to discover as you explore one of the best places to go for a walk in Merseyside and the North West.

Summer highlights in the garden

The North Lawn

The North Lawn is the ideal spot for striking views of the front of the hall. Explore the paths around the old moat, surrounded by lush topiary that has been shaped to perfection by the garden team.

Highlights in summer include the sea of heather at the bottom of the lawn with its purples, mauves and summery scent. Take a seat on one of the benches and soak it all in. It's a perfect spot for picnics and sunbathing.

If you're feeling adventurous, head down the path along the west side of the house to spot a Metasequoia glyptstroboides – a rare tree with distinctive bark, once thought to be extinct.

The South Lawn

Walk in the footsteps of Speke Hall's 19th-century residents as you stroll around the South Lawn.

In July and August, a colourful array of hydrangeas pops up along the path and a bee-friendly lavender bed adds a dash of vibrant purple along the house. Elsewhere, tall topiary lines the paths and giant monkey puzzle trees tower over the manicured lawns.

Visitors in the garden at Speke Hall, Liverpool | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

The Rose Garden

In the corner of the South Lawn, you'll find the Victorian formal Rose Garden. In July and August, it's awash with the floribunda variety of rose. Popular in Victorian times, floribunda was enjoyed by Speke Hall’s last owner, Adelaide Watt.

The Margaret Meryl white roses have the strongest fragrance, while the peachy 'Amber Queen', 'Tickled Pink' and iridescent 'Pearl Drift' roses add plenty of colour.

The Kitchen Garden

Step into the Kitchen Garden to see what produce is popping out of the soil. In summer, the beds are full to the brim with produce thanks to the hard work of National Trust volunteers. Best of all, most of it will end up in the dishes we serve in the restaurant. Highlights include colourful sweet peas climbing the frames, salads of every sort in the new no-dig raised beds and the pollinator-friendly flower border.

Don't forget to peek into the glasshouse to see what's growing inside. You can also witness the beautiful herbaceous border overflowing with colour outside the Kitchen Garden.

The Secret Garden

This hidden oasis in the north-west corner of Speke Hall's grounds is a magical place, accessible via an enticing narrow tunnel at one end and a winding path at the other. The gentle stream running through it makes the Secret Garden a haven for some of Speke's wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for frogs and birds.

One of the highlights here is a rare Wollemi pine or 'dinosaur tree'. Previously thought to be extinct, this species was in the news in late 2019 when the small area where the tree originates in Australia was threatened by devastating bushfires.

The Secret Garden was restored in 2017 thanks to generous donations from the Alan Evans Memorial Trust, Crosby National Trust Association, Oldham and District National Trust Association and the Chester and District National Trust Association.

The Clough woodland

For a relaxing woodland walk, go to the corner of the South Lawn to enter the Clough. Look out for Speke's bustling birdlife as you go around and notice the Bund towering over you, sheltering you from the sea breeze coming in off the Mersey and helping to create the micro-climate that makes Speke's gardens special.

The Bund

Head towards the river from Home Farm and you'll find the Bund path, which you can climb up to enjoy a bird's-eye view of Speke Hall, the River Mersey and Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Take a seat on one of the benches to enjoy a picnic, watch bustling birdlife and spot planes flying over your head.

A view over the pond at Speke Hall, Liverpool, with yellow flowers in front of it. — The pond at Speke Hall, Liverpool | © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Explore the wider estate

Stockton's Wood

Venture into Stockton's Wood to discover a semi-ancient woodland filled with wildlife and secrets. Did you know this woodland was used by the American military during World War II to hide aircraft from German spy planes? You can enter the woodland from the car park and along the main drive.

Meadows

Stride out onto acres of hay meadows, accessible from the main drive. The meadows are carefully managed by the rangers and are important habitats that support a wide variety of birds, insects and mammals.

The Speke and Garston Coastal Reserve

For more adventurous types, the Coastal Reserve path takes you onto the Speke Garston Coastal Reserve, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest filled with wildlife and aviation history. Walk along the old airport runway or go down to the shoreline of the Mersey and watch the varied birdlife.

Thank you

Your support helps Speke Hall's garden to grow. Every time you visit and every penny you spend while you're here gives Speke Hall’s staff and volunteers the support they need to care for this special place.