Day trip to Kirkby Lonsdale and Leighton Hall

12 April 2017

Photos of this excursion are below

A day trip to Kirby Lonsdale and Leighton Hall. There will be time to explore and have lunch in Kirkby Lonsdale and then we will travel to nearby Leighton Hall for a tour of the house and gardens, followed by refreshments.

A booking form can be downloaded here. Please print it off and send, together with a cheque, to Rita Calvert, Visits Secretary, 15 St Pauls Avenue, Lytham St Annes FY8 1ED by Wednesday 5th April 2016 at the latest. Please remember to enclose a Stamped Addressed Envelope.

Our first stop will be the historic market town of Kirkby Lonsdale. It is a very ancient settlement—Romans, Saxons, Normans and Danes all carved an impression. A host of 17th and 18th Century buildings now accommodate inns, restaurants and shops. We will visit the Norman Church of St Mary the Virgin, built between 1093 and 1130. There will be an opportunity to look around the church and learn about its history from a local parishioner at 11.00 am.

The view of the River Lune from the churchyard is known as ‘Ruskin’s View’. It was praised by John Ruskin as ’One of the loveliest views in England’ and painted by JMW Turner.

You will have the opportunity to explore, shop and have lunch before we set off in the early afternoon to visit Leighton Hall.

At 1.15 pm we will depart from Kirkby Lonsdale for Leighton Hall. It is the ancestral home of the Gillow Family. They were the world renowned furniture makers of the 18th Century. As well as some lovely Gillow furniture on display there are also some exquisite pieces that were brought back when a member of the family went on the Grand Tour.

Included in our visit is a guided tour of Leighton Hall. The guides are very knowledgeable, one of whom is the present owner. Weather permitting we may have the opportunity to walk in the 19th century walled garden.

The afternoon will conclude with refreshments (tea/coffee) and a cream scone before we depart for home at approximately 4.30 pm.

The Cost is £25.00 per person, which includes: return coach travel from Lytham St Annes;  visit to historic Kirkby Lonsdale; and a tour of Leighton Hall followed by a Cream Tea. The coach will collect and drop passengers in St Annes, Fairhaven, Lytham and Wesham.