English Houses

The country house is owned by the city and is known as the Astley Hall Museum and Art Gallery. In the extensive landscaped area is also located picturesque Astley Park. It is known that the house was acquired in the 15th century by the family of the Knights of Charnock of the St. John of Jerusalem Order. The frame house was built around a small courtyard in the years 1575-1600 in the typical Elizabethan style.
In the house you can see oak furniture, Flemish tapestries and wood panels, painting and ceramics, dishes and tools. There are rumors that Oliver Cromwell was at home during the battle of Preston in the 17th century and left his boots. However, recent studies have shown that the boots did not belong to him, but they are still in the hall.

One of the visitors' review: "Excellent meal had by all, I had the chicken with garlic, really tasty and would recommend. Visited a few times recently and not had a bad meal. Great to go for just drinks too, all staff really friendly and welcoming. Bar area welcomes dogs too".

The first recorded lord of the Samlesbury manor was Cospatric de Samlesbury. The living room was built in 1530. The Samlesbury family served as a dining room and a lounge. The house also has a stunning fireplace that Thomas Southworth installed in the living room in 1545. The large hall was built by a family in the 15th century and is now used for weddings.
The Southworth family also received permission from King Henry V to have their own place of worship in their home. The head of the family, John was an ardent Catholic for which he was repeatedly arrested and fined. March 10, 1678 the remaining members of the family sold the estate to Thomas Bradyll for 3,150 pounds.
Please always check the list of closure dates to find out whether or not the Hall is open before you visit.

Here is a large house with a park, which was built in the 15th century for Sir Thomas Hesketh, the direct descendant of the king. In total, in this house lived 16 generations. All furnishings: portraits, furniture, dishes, candelabra are preserved, and now you can see and imagine how the inhabitants of the house lived in those distant times.
Only here you can see a wooden movable screen, probably dating from 1530-40, and the only known surviving example of the first half of the 16th century. There is some evidence that suggests that William Shakespeare himself staged his play in a large hall. In turn, the actors would change clothes behind this screen, and in ordinary life it would block the exit from the kitchen to the hall so those who feasted would not see what was happening in the kitchen.
Note that the Rufford Old Hall is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Visitor's feedback: "Avenham park is definitely a 'must see' for any visitors to Preston. It has it all; riverside walk, colorful flowers and trees, a beautiful Japanese garden inside the park and a pleasant little café serving drinks, snacks and ice cream. A great place to stroll, sit or walk the dog. For those in a car, there is parking at the hockey car park opposite the Continental pub...".

After a busy day, stop by and have a delicious dinner at this family-owned and run restaurant. Enjoy a wide range of both modern and classic Italian dishes, and be sure to try their collection of personally selected wines.

Tomorrow you will go to Liverpool and get acquainted with its attractions. First of all, you will visit a haunted house, which even fell on cameras. After that, you will visit the Cathedral of Manchester, the largest in England, and there is one of the largest pipe organ in it. Next you will see a statue dedicated to the Beatles, and then go to the house where Paul McCartney lived as a child.