Samlesbury Hall

Samlesbury Hall is a black and white, half-timbered manor house dating back to 1325, on the A677 between Preston and Blackburn. You get three floors of rooms to wander, including the Victorian Kitchen, the Great Hall, the Ghost Room and the Witch's Garret, which tends to be the room children ask about in the car home. Outside are lawns, a rosarium, a fountain courtyard and the Mayflower Playground.

Entry is by voluntary donation, which makes it one of the cheapest historic houses in the county. The trade-off is that the charity lives on food and drink sales, so you are not allowed to bring your own. The Garden Room Eatery does breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea from 9am to 3.30pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and Maria's Tea Room is the lighter option. Treat the meal as the admission fee you did not pay at the door and it feels fair enough.

Guided tours run on most Sundays at 11am and 2pm, and the guides lean into the ghost stories. That suits a nine year old far better than a nervous four year old, so judge your audience. The hall and grounds are closed on Saturdays and Mondays, and closed again on Thursday 10 December 2026. Private functions and weddings can also change the days at short notice, so look at the website before you set off.

What it costs: Admission is by voluntary donation. The hall is run by a charity and relies on its cafe, shop and events, so you cannot bring your own food or drink.

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