Croxteth Hall & Country Park Web site

Hall KS2

Self guided
The Hall is a great venue to illustrate Victorian life. The house highlights the differences in social classes, costume, furniture and decoration. The past is brought to life using costumed figures, overheard conversations and even smells in the rooms. The cast includes servants, aristocrats and children, creating an opportunity to illustrate social history of the period.

We have a range of printed resources to help you get the most from your visit.

New visit in partnership with St Georges Hall
Halls and Houses
As Liverpool stages its year as European Capital of Culture, we invite schools to visit two very different but remarkable buildings; St. George's Hall with its Great Hall and Victorian law courts and Croxteth Hall, a former home of the Earls of Sefton. Our new visit 'Halls and Houses' offers a full day experience at these two outstanding historic sites. Both offer opportunities to study Victorian topics, exploring St George's Hall in the heart of the city's World Heritage Quarter and Croxteth Hall set in beautiful parkland, the legacy of the Country House estate.

St George's Hall was described by Queen Victoria as worthy of Ancient Athens. It has now reopened after a £23 million refurbishment. New facilities include Heritage Centre with hands-on exhibitions telling the story of the building, its people and its place in the city's history. During a self-guided visit, pupils will walk in the footsteps of prisoners, visiting cells with recreated smells and sounds, climb into the dock of the restored Victorian courtroom and get up close to the angels and dragons featured in the Great Hall's decoration.

Croxteth Hall was developed over 400 years; its first building phase dating back to 1575. At its height it is more properly defined as a Country House of the late Victorian and early Edwardian period. Here you will find out about the daily life in the household of the Molyneux family (Earls of Sefton), their guests and servants. Display rooms are set out with 'talking figures' to show a day in the lives of people who lived and worked Upstairs and Downstairs in this great House.

Bring a packed lunch and have it outside on the lawns at Croxteth (or indoors if required). There is ample space in the parkland to get some fresh air and move around over the lunch period. To help teachers plan their visit, we offer free familiarisation sessions. To book your visit in the first instance please contact Croxteth Hall bookings on 0151 233 6905; for a free familiarisation visit at St George's Hall please contact: Learning Officer - Dilys Horwich on 0151 225 6928

Special itinerary arranged: arrive St George's Hall self led visit 10.00am, depart for Croxteth 11.45, arrive Croxteth 12.10 (lunch 12.30. - 1.00) Croxteth Hall self led visit 1.00pm. depart approx 2.30pm.

Available: Tuesdays to Fridays only, Easter through to October 2008.
Duration: all day
Charge (applies to Croxteth only): £1.60 per child. Minimum charge: £40.00 per group. (No charge St Georges Hall)
Transport between the two centres must be organised by the school. Liverpool schools in NRF areas may apply for free transport from the Culture Bus - please contact Catherine Murphy on 233 8147 for availability.

Guided Visits

Our visits are delivered by the Ranger Interpretation Service (RIS).
Available: April - October
Duration: 1½ hours
Charge: £3.50 per child. Minimum charge: £87.50 per group 

Upstairs Downstairs 
Have the butler (in costume) lead your tour of the Hall. Find out what the building tells us about the daily life of servants, the Molyneux family and their guests in late Victorian/Edwardian times. Teachers notes for Upstairs Downstairs. Also Croxteth Risk Assessment available

Hands on History 
Half of the group looks around the Hall whilst the other half looks at and handles some old objects with one of our education staff. The objects present an eclectic mix - from a chef's hat to washboard to horse brasses - all selected to illustrate aspects of life in the Hall and country estate a century ago. The groups then swap over. Teachers notes for Hands on History. Also Croxteth Risk Assessment available. 

Mischief Fair
Fun literacy based workshops for National Poetry Day.
Now booking for October 2008
Find out what cats and bats, jesters, goblins and dragons get up to in Croxteth Hall!

Victorian Christmas 1898 
18 November - 12 December 2008 (except Mondays).
10.00am - 12.15pm and 1.00pm - 3.15pm (max number 70 per session).
Schools are reminded that applications are now being taken for our Victorian  role-play sessions highlighting the lifestyles of the Earl of Sefton and his household staff as they prepare for Christmas 1897. Croxteth Staff and Heritage Volunteers lead groups in period costume as they experience the sights, sounds, hardships and pleasures of Victorian Life. 

Full details of Victorian Christmas including how to apply, costume ideas and teachers resources.

Storytelling

Available: April - October 10.00am or 1.00pm (unless otherwise arranged)
Duration: 1½ hours
Charge: £3.80 per child. Minimum charge: £95.00 per group

The Housekeeper 
The storyteller in the role of the Housekeeper will elaborate about her life and work in the 'Big House' and tell a story suitable for the age group. Excerpts from 'The Borrowers' or 'The Lottie Project' could be incorporated, if desired. 

The Games They Played 
The Victorian Governess reminisces about her work with Lord Sefton's children and plays some games that were popular in and around the big old house. Examples of toys and games of the period will be made available in the Schoolroom. 

Storytelling teachers notes. Also a Croxteth risk assessment for all storytelling visits in the Hall (listed below) is available.

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