‘Heaton (Hall), the seat of Lord Grey de Wilton, about four miles from Manchester, is beautifully situated on an eminence in a rich park. This truly elegant seat was built from a design of Wyatt.’ John Aitken, 1795.

James Wyatt was one of the great architects of his day and Heaton Hall is one of his masterworks. It’s been described as ‘the finest house of its period in Lancashire and one of the finest in the country’. This tour includes a rare visit inside the house where guests will see stunning interiors that mix elegance, opulence and drama waiting for life (and tours, of course, to return). The circular Cupola Room will make jaws drop.

The tour takes in the park too with its fantastic features animating the exciting undulating landscape. We’ll also take a look at some of the following, the Dower House, the Stables, the tramway, the boating lake and even the reconstructed façade of Manchester’s original town hall whilst also taking in the superb views from the highest point in the city, the Temple. The park is 640 acres in size so we might not get round all of these on every tour but we’ll do our best.

Then there are the stories too. Heaton Park has a history as rich and extensive as the place itself. Guests will hear tales of the owners, the Earls of Wilton, of Fanny Kemble and the Duke of Wellington visiting in 1830, of ‘the world’s first DJ’, William Grimshaw, of Pope John Paul II’s visit and huge gigs from the likes of the Stone Roses.

There’ll be loads of stories about everyday visitors too, for Heaton Park is truly the ‘people’s park’ and has been since 1902 when it was bought by Manchester Corporation, now City Council.

Guests will be surprised and delighted by what these tours reveal. That’s a guarantee, even for visitors who thought they knew Heaton Park very well.

The tours will take place every Wednesday and Sunday at 11am from 11 August. Meet ten minutes before the tour outside The Stables cafe, main entrance.

£15 adults. £12 concessions students, people with disabilities, 60+ in full time retirement, or registered unemployed), under 10s free.

Meet: Outside The Stables café main entrance. ​Booking ahead is advisable.