It’s Like a New Beginning as Leighton Hall reopens

9 July 2020

Treasured local heritage attraction Leighton Hall near Carnforth is reopening after nearly four agonising months of lockdown.

To the relief and delight of visitors, staff, volunteers, and the family, the award-winning seat of the Gillow furniture making dynasty will reopen on July 16th

Having been working hard putting in safeguarding measures, visitors will again be able to enjoy Leighton’s historic family home magic, thanks to some important additions like distancing guidelines and plentiful hand sanitizer. The Hall has achieved the New National “Good To Go” Kite Mark in recognition too.

Estate manager and Gillow descendent Lucy Arthurs says; “Like many other attractions, it’s been an extremely difficult and worrying time. For the first time in 61 years, we couldn’t open the doors on May 1st, and the estate has been eerily quiet.”

“We’re very excited about reopening, but we’re not rushing; the safety and comfort of our visitors and staff is our number one priority. Our offer has changed, so to begin with  we are opening just Thursday and Sunday afternoons. Visitors will be required to pre-book their choice of visit online via our website, ensuring comfortable natural distancing and smaller, staggered house tours.”

Outdoors, while birds of prey displays are on hold for now, the rambling gardens, woodland walk, children’s play areas, maze and new educational Bee Corner will be fully open. Visitors can stretch their legs even more by walking up the parkland footpath to the benches at the top, to enjoy the spectacular view over Morecambe Bay, Grange-over-Sands and the Lakes.

Aware that youngsters will be bursting with lockdown energy, the family has increased the activities on offer. On entry, every child will be given an activity pack with paper & a pencil, allowing them to complete the sheets for the Tree face Trail, Brass Rubbings and our Teddy Bear Hunt Competition if you have booked a tour of the Hall. There is even a 3D “Build Leighton Hall” activity that is to be completed at home!

Adults can be reassured: the tearoom has been redesigned to offer safe distancing, table service and take-outs, so there’s still plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy the historic surroundings with a cup of tea and slice of cake!

Lucy adds; “People have been fantastically supportive, and keen to know when we’re reopening. It is wonderful to be joining lots of other local businesses and attractions, providing safe places for families to enjoy meeting up & reconnecting with wider family & friends, take gentle exercise, enjoy well-deserved relaxation and refreshment.

“Hopefully this is just the first step to safeguarding Leighton’s survival, and we are thrilled to be welcoming our many friends back from the 16th.”

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