Lytham Hall

Cost: Free parkland, pay parking
Ages: 2 to 11
Where: Lytham St Annes, Lancashire
Weather: Mostly outdoors
Booking: Just turn up

A 1760s Georgian hall in 78 acres of parkland and woodland on the edge of Lytham, run by a heritage trust rather than the National Trust, and the parkland and gardens are free. You pay for parking, £1.50 for up to two hours or £3.50 for up to six, and that is the only compulsory cost.

The park opens 10am to 4.30pm daily. With primary-age kids the woodland, the animal hub and the seasonal trails are the day; the hall tour, £12 adults and £6 children, runs from noon with last entry at 3pm and is honestly one for a child who already likes old houses. The cafe does a children's menu and there is an ice cream parlour in season.

Dogs are welcome everywhere except inside the hall, and the events calendar is busy: outdoor theatre, proms concerts, antique fairs. Worth checking before you set off, because on those days the free run of the park is off.

What it costs: Parkland and gardens free. Parking £1.50 up to 2 hrs, £3.50 up to 6 hrs. Hall tours £12 adult, £6 child, daily from 12pm (last entry 3pm).

Know before you go

Check the events page before you go. On big event days like the Lytham Proms weekend the parkland is given over to ticketed concerts.
Pay for the £3.50 parking. Two hours disappears fast once the woods, the animal hub and the cafe get involved.

What’s on at Lytham Hall

Lights, Camera, Christmas! at Lytham Hall

Lytham Hall, Lytham · Lytham St Annes

24 November to 3 January, daytime 11.30am to 4pm (last entry 3pm), evenings 5pm to 8pm (last entry 7pm)

The hall dressed room by room after favourite Christmas films, with the model Christmas village taking over a whole room. Daytime needs no booking and under 5s are free, evenings are booked, and the courtyard cafe bar does mulled wine and hot drinks. Parking is free, which on the Fylde in December is its own small gift. Opening days are not spelled out, so check before a special trip.

Price not listed, under 5s freeJust turn up in the day, book for eveningsIndoor option

Written by us

Santa's Grotto at Lytham Hall

Lytham Hall, Lytham · Lytham St Annes

Weekends from 5 December, then daily 21 to 23 December

Five minute slots with Santa inside the Christmas-dressed hall, a present for each child and a photo. Two adults can go in with each child. Arrive no more than five minutes early, the slots are tight and the queue is inside a listed building.

Price not listedBooking opens soon, five minute slotsIndoor option

Written by us

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