Visiting Ordsall Hall

Last week the children and I headed to Salford Museum and Art Gallery. We had intended to combine the trip with a visit to Ordsall Hall, but due to a problem with my car, we couldn’t make the trip to Ordsall Hall, something we rectified today.

Ordsall Hall isn’t a place I have ever been to before, and I’m not sure why! I knew of it but wasn’t entirely sure what was there and I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. It’s a real gem of a place and I am sure we will visit there again soon.

Getting There

Finding your way to Ordsall Hall is really easy, and its located not far from the centre of Manchester or the Lowry Outlet Mall so it’s very easy to find. Entrance is free but there is a small charge for the car park (£2.50 for up to three hours). The car park is very close to the entrance and when you arrive it’s very striking to see such a magnificent building in what is, now, quite and industrial area.

Ordsall Hall is open Monday – Thursday 10:00 – 16:00 and Sundays 13:00 – 16:00.

Arriving at Ordsall Hall

It’s easy to drive past Ordsall Hall as its set back from the road and, as I mentioned above, the area is quite industrial so it’s easy to think you’re in the wrong place. There are plenty of side roads to turn round in however and there is a decent sized car park on-site. Ordsall Hall is a very beautiful building set in some wonderful gardens which would be perfect for a picnic. The entrance is round the back of the Hall, away from the main road and when you walk in you’re welcomed by a wonderfully atmospheric hall.

There is a map of the hall in front of you and, to the left, is the reception where the staff are on hand to help with any questions etc. As we visited in the school holidays there was a shield making activity on so the children collected a shield each to later decorate.

Exploring Ordsall Hall

We headed first to the kitchen area and the children enjoyed looking at the plates which showed what would have been on the menu. The kitchen is wonderfully set up with lots of fun things to see and as we passed through here two or three times we all spotted different things each time (look out for the rabbits kept in the box!). The shield decorating activity was taking place in here so the children stopped to decorate their shields for a short while.

We continued on through Ordsall Hall, exploring all manner of things and I was really impressed to see just how wonderfully maintained the building is.

There are plenty of rooms to look around, and each has information stands to explain a range of things. I have always been fascinated with the Tudor era and I loved looking at the various items and reading more about the family who lived in the hall, as well as about the times.

Many of the rooms have items that the children (and adults!) can dress up in, and they all really liked The Great Hall. In here was a large table set with chairs for the Lord and Lady and plenty of food and the children were shown the dressing up cupboard so, of course, spent plenty of time trying on various outfits!

After we had persuaded them to leave The Great Hall we headed up to the bedrooms and continued to have a good look around. There’s so much to take in and we only really scratched the surface today.

Refreshments

In the entrance area there is a small cafe where we stopped for a drink and a snack. I had a coffee and the children had a biscuit and flavoured water. It’s a really peaceful space to sit and we had a chat about the children’s favourite things. They all enjoyed The Great Hall and Daniel enjoyed trying on the chain mail outfit. I liked the stained glass as it’s something I always find fascinating to look at, especially when you consider how long it’s been there for.

Ordsall Hall is a fabulous place to visit, and one that I can’t believe I’ve never been to before. It’s worth combining with a trip to Salford Museum and Art Gallery which is just a short journey away.