Hello Everyone! Welcome to this weeks Hocks Summer Outings where we let you know all about the different places you can go and things you can do for a day out during the Summer Holidays! This week we have chosen to tell you all about The National Trust.
The National Trust was founded in 1895. Their aim was to save and protect the country's heritage and open spaces. 120 years on The National Trust are still successfully upholding these values.
The National Trust are responsible for protecting and looking after..
Over 300 Historic Houses and Buildings.
Historic Gardens and Parks.
Nature and Wildlife.
Over 250,000 hectares of Coast and Countryside.
Historical Sites and Monuments.
As you can imagine, The National Trust has hundreds of places to visit, so we thought we would show you one place from England, Ireland Scotland and Wales. You can find a full list of places to visit and search for a National Trust property near you by visiting www.nationaltrust.org.uk. Please note, National Trust Scotland has a separate website. you can visit it by clicking here.
England.
The Beatles Childhood Homes-Liverpool
The National Trust Say..
"Book your tour online now and enjoy the unique experience of a visit to the childhood homes of John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney. This is your only opportunity to see inside the places where the Beatles met, composed and rehearsed many of their earliest songs.
Imagine walking through the back door into the kitchen where John's Aunt Mimi would have cooked him his tea, or standing in the spot where Lennon and McCartney composed 'I Saw Her Standing There'.
Join our custodians on a fascinating trip down memory lane, and take a moment to reflect on these incredible individuals. Visiting the Beatles' childhood homes in Liverpool is an absolute must for fans of any ages. The tours provide a real insight into Lennon and McCartney's humble beginnings."
The McCartney Family Home
Tours depart from Jury's Inn Hotel in Liverpool City Centre at 10am, 11am and 2.12pm and an afternoon tour departs from Speke Hall, a National Trust Property approx. 8 miles outside of Liverpool at 3.15pm. Tours are on 7 days a week between June and October and you will be picked up by the tours mini bus.
The tour includes a combined tour of both properties, a childrens trail, a childrens quiz and guide books available to buy. Please note that there is no direct access to either house, you will not be able to enter them unless you are part of the tour.
John Lennon's Bedroom.
Food and Drink is available to purchase in both The Jury's Inn Hotel and Speke Hall and Speke Hall also have a gift shop where you can find lots of Beatles Goodies.
Prices for The Beatles Childhood Homes Tour
Adult: £23.00
Child: £7.25
Prices include the tour of both houses and the mini bus.
To find out more about The Beatles Childhood Homes Tour and to book yourself onto one of the tours click here.
Ireland
Carrik-a-Rede-County Antrim
National Trust Say..
"Rocky island connected to the cliffs by a rope bridge. Suspended almost 100 ft (30 m) above sea level, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen 350 years ago. Today it is a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of thrill-seekers (and birdwatchers!) to the North Coast every year.
If you are bold enough to cross the 65 ft (20 m) bridge, stretching from the mainland to 'Rocky Island', you will be rewarded with fantastic views of Rathlin Island, Scotland and the Causeway Coast. Get a bird's eye view of the clear, green water flowing around the ancient caves and caverns far below - if you dare to look down."
The Coastline is open all day all year round and the bridge is open from 9.30am until 19.00 daily. Last entry to the Rope Bridge is 45 minutes before closing.
Food and Drink is available to purchase in Weighbridge Tearoom in Carrik-a-Rede. The tearoom also has a gift shop.
Prices for Carrik-a-Rede
Adult: £5.90
Child: £3.00
Family: £14.80
Group adult: £4.20
Prices include entry to the coastline and the rope bridge.
To find out more about Carrik-a-Rede click here.
Scotland
Georgian House- Edinburgh
National Trust Scotland Say..
"The north side of Charlotte Square is Robert Adam's masterpiece of urban architecture. The Georgian House, with its elegant furnished interior, is located at No. 7 Charlotte Square.
The Square was conceived by Robert Adam as a paradigm of the Georgian ideal in the centre of Edinburgh
A heady vision of sweeping crescents, broad boulevards and elegant squares, the New Town of Edinburgh offered wealthy citizens in the late 18th century a means of escape from the overcrowded tenements of the Old Town.
The Georgian House was built in 1796 for John Lamont, 18th Chief of the Clan Lamont, and he lived here with his family until 1815.
The house has been magnificently restored to show a typical Edinburgh New Town House of the late 18th to early 19th century. The fine collection of period furniture, porcelain, silver and glass reflects the lifestyle and social and economic conditions of the time.
The Georgian House was restored in the early 1970s and over the past few years there has been an ongoing programme of redecoration to bring it back to its pristine 1975 condition."
Georgian House is open from 10am until 6pm daily, last entry is at 5.15pm. Georgian house has a small gift shop you can visit. Georgian house doesn't have any food or drink facilities but there are lots of cafes and restaurants around the property.
Prices for Georgian House
Adult: £7.00
Family: £16.50
1 Parent: £11.50
Concession: £5.50
To find out more about Georgian House click here.
Wales
Chirk Castle- Wrexham
The National Trust Say..
"A stark symbol of power, Chirk Castle was completed in 1310 during the reign of the conquering Edward I to subdue the last princes of Wales. Built on an outcrop above the meeting point of the rivers Dee and Ceiriog, the imposing silhouette of the castle was a brooding statement of English intent in these disputed lands.
With over 700 years of history, and as the last castle from this period still lived in today, Chirk Castle's many occupants have left behind lavish interiors and a beautiful and eclectic collection. The state rooms include a 17th-century Long Gallery, grand 18th-century saloon with rich tapestries, servants' hall, and the restored East Range, containing the library and 1920s style Bow Room showing off Chirk Castle’s connections to high society.
The award-winning gardens cover 5.5 acres of manicured lawns, clipped yews, herbaceous borders, beautiful rose, shrub and rock gardens, and the wooded pleasure ground – perfect for a stroll. Don't miss the terrace overlooking the 18th century ha-ha at the bottom of the garden, with stunning views over the Cheshire and Salop plains.
Chirk Castle has over 480 acres of estate parkland for you to explore, with wild ponies, sheep, veteran trees, and a beautifully preserved section of Offa’s Dyke. The estate is located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has also been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest as an important habitat for rare invertebrates, bats, fungi, and wild flowers."
Chirk Castle has a tearoom where you can but food and drink and also a shop that sells garden tools, books, gifts and plants.
Opening Times of Chirk Castle.
Estate- 7am-9pm
Garden- 10am-6pm
Shop- 10am-5pm
State Rooms- 12pm-5pm
State Room Tours- 11am-12pm
Tearoom- 10am-5pm
Tower- 10am-5pm
Prices For Chirk Castle
Adult: £10.90
Child: £5.45
Family: £27.25
Group adult: £8.72
Group child: £4.36
To Find Out More About Chirk Castle Click here.
Become a member of the National Trust
You can become members of The National Trust and National Trust Scotland. Becoming a member gets you..
Free entry and parking at over 300 historic houses, gardens and countryside and coastline spaces
Members' Handbook the complete guide to all our places
Regional Newsletters packed with details of special events at locations near you
Three editions a year of our magazine
Free pair of binoculars when you pay by Direct Debit
Prices of an annual National Trust Membership are..
Individual- £60.00 or £5.00 monthly direct debit
Joint (2 adults)- £99.00 or £8.25 monthly direct debit
Family- £104.00 or £8.75 monthly direct debit
Family with One Adult- £65.00 or £5.42 monthly direct debit
Young person (13-25)- £30.00 or £2.50 monthly direct debit
Child (5-12)- £30.00
Children under 5- Free
To become a member of The National Trust click here.
We hope you have enjoyed reading all about The National Trust. Do you visit The National Trust properties near you? What do you think of them?
We hope to see you on Friday for this weeks Top Of The Hocks.
