Cheshire’s Hidden Gem – Monastery to Museum

Our B2B Sales Manager, Gina Halden, recently took the opportunity to visit a nearby local attraction which is featured in our NEW Day Trips for Groups Brochure (Northern Edition). Only a 10 minute drive from where she lives, Norton Priory in Runcorn has recently undergone major refurbishment made possible by a grant from the Lottery Heritage Fund. She took the opportunity of a tour showcasing the new ‘interactive’ museum highlighting a medieval undercroft and a statue of St. Christopher, said to be one of the finest medieval sculptures in the World, standing over 12 feet tall! The museum is a Charity Organisation run mainly by volunteers who are quite happy to give talks on the history of Norton Priory and the Walled Garden to groups young and old alike (these need to be booked in advance) and would be ideal for school/student groups, gardening groups and historical societies amongst others. Private guided tours are possible although the museum is very easy to navigate at your own pace and is accessible for wheelchair users, with a lift and access ramps throughout. There is also gift shop and cafe at the museum.

Just a short, easy/flat walk through the woods, is the ‘Walled Garden’ where you can find a tea-room and gift shop, the ‘Straw House’, the Ice House, micro-brewery and ice-cream shop (seasonal opening).  Plants are also available to purchase. The Museum and Gardens are open all year and there are plenty of walks around the 900 year old site. Many events also take place throughout the year including a Christmas Fair. It may also be possible to take time to visit the nearby ruins of Halton Castle before heading home.

Thanks go to Claire Broadhurst of Norton Priory who made the visit possible.

For further details on the tour featuring Norton Priory please take a look at our website or call Gina for a brochure.  The visit can also be incorporated into many of our ‘North West’ based tours – again, these are all listed on our website. http://www.greatdays.co.uk/tour/norton-priory-day-trip-cheshire/