CATEGORY · A HUDDLEPIN LIST
Castles, Historic Houses & Heritage in Preston
Preston has more black-and-white timber and Tudor stonework than you might expect on a wet Saturday. Samlesbury Hall, about 5 miles out, costs nothing to walk round and has parking and a café for afterwards. Hoghton Tower, similar distance, is a proper guided tramp through a genuine Tudor house up a steep half-mile drive, best for ages 5 and up thanks to that dollhouse room everyone remembers. Out at Chorley, Astley Hall is free too, with a play area and walled garden built in. For free days, Samlesbury and Astley are the ones to pick, and Astley's play area gives younger children somewhere to go once the hall tour is done. Hoghton suits older children who'll get the history rather than just the stairs. Turton Tower is a longer trip, about 15 miles out in Lancashire, but it's free to roam the grounds, dog friendly, and has a woodland adventure playground plus a walled Victorian kitchen garden worth the drive.
8 places 3 free to visit
FreeAstley Hall
Chorley
Free entry to a 400 year old hall with a play area, a walled garden and a café for cake afterwards.
CaféGift shopFood on siteOutdoor play+2 more
Hoghton Tower
Preston · ages 5+
A guided tramp through a genuine Tudor house, with a steep half-mile drive up and a dollhouse room that steals the show.
Accessible toiletAllergy awareBaby changeBlue badge parking+11 more
from £6Leighton Hall Estate
Carnforth
A guided tour round a historic house, a maze and adventure playground to burn through the afternoon, plus a bird of prey display in summer.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféDog friendly+3 more
Pendle Heritage Centre
Barrowford
A walled garden, a bluebell woodland walk and the story of the Pendle witches, all on one heritage site in Barrowford.
CaféGift shop
FreePigeon Tower
Bolton
Free grounds to wander around a Victorian tower, an Italian-style lake and gardens on the edge of Lever Park.
CaféDog friendlyFree parkingGift shop+2 more
FreeSamlesbury Hall
Preston
Historic black-and-white hall near Preston - Soft Play N.
ToiletsCaféGift shopParking+1 more
from £2The Cottage Museum
Lancaster
A tiny 18th-century cottage in Lancaster you can look round for £2, with kids under 18 free.
Cash only
from £6Turton Tower
Lancashire
A part-timbered manor house with a woodland adventure playground and a walled Victorian kitchen garden to explore, free to roam grounds all year.
Accessible toiletCaféDog friendlyFree parking+7 more
Good to know: castles, historic houses & heritage in Preston
Are any of them free?
Yes, Astley Hall, Pigeon Tower and Samlesbury Hall are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £2 at The Cottage Museum. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Which ones are indoor?
Samlesbury Hall is indoor, good to keep up your sleeve for a rainy day.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find castles, historic houses & heritage in Chorley, Preston, Carnforth, Barrowford, Bolton and 2 more. Every place we list is in or around Preston, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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