The original house was built in about 1575, and has been expanded in several stages in Tudor, Georgian, and Queen Anne styles. The principal front, the west façade, was built in 1702. Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their children stayed at Croxteth Hall on 9 October 1851 before visiting Liverpool the following day during torrential rain. However, the visit started fine with 700 members of the local gentry being entertained in the Hall grounds. The Hall and its outbuilding are a Grade II* Listed Building, as are 3 of the outbuildings; another 15 buildings on the estate are Grade II. The Molyneux family lived at the Hall from the 16th century until 1972, when the last Earl died. His American-born widow Josephine, Countess of Sefton (1903–1980) – once a close friend of the Duchess of Windsor and nicknamed "Foxy" for her abundant auburn hair – continued to spend some time at Croxteth. She became the last member of the Molyneux family to reside in the hall. When the last Earl died in 1972, a worldwide search was made for an heir to the title but without success.
The Hall and grounds are steeped in history and offer endless opportunities to learn and have fun. See how the Earls of Sefton, their families and servants, lived in the Hall in Edwardian times. Visit Home Farm and see piglets, lambs and other young animals at most times of the year. Enjoy the Victorian Walled Garden's fine collection of old fruit trees and visit the glasshouses - home to Liverpool's historic botanical collection. This is one of the oldest horticultural collections in Britain, founded by William Roscoe in 1802. Amongst the tropical plants is the National Collection of Dracaena (dragon trees); there are orchids and the National Collection of Codiaeum; pelargoniums and the National Collection of Solenostemon (coleus) as well as a rich collection of bromeliads. Liverpool was once world-famous for its orchids as the collection is composed mainly of wild collected species rather than the more usual garden hybrids. Explore well preserved landscape of woodlands, pastures and ponds in Croxteth Local Nature Reserve - a wonderful place to see wildlife of all kinds.
The Hall entrance is ramped and there is a lift which gives access to the upstairs display rooms. Home Farm has level access but a cobbled farmyard, and the Victorian Walled Garden has slightly ramped access onto fine gravel paths. The Country Park has miles of estate roads and tracks with tarmac or stone surfacing. The Home Farm is independently run (and as of 3rd February they have 10 meerkats). It is open daily from 10:00 to 4:00 with the same ticket prices as the Hall. Please avoid the sheep in lambing time if you are pregnant.
Location : Croxteth Hall, Off Muirhead Avenue East, Liverpool L11 1EH
Transport: Rice Lane (MerseyRail). Bus routes 18, 102, 121, 215, 618 and 663 stop outside the park.
Opening Times: April to September 10:30 to 17:00
Tickets: Adults £3.50. Seniors/Children £2.70
Walled Gardens: Adults £1.50. Seniors £1.00. Children Free
Combined: Adults £4.00. Seniors £3.50. Children £2.70
Tel: 0151 233 3020
