Description
Step inside a stunning Edwardian mansion that brings world-class creative history alive for visitors of all generations. Designed in a classic Arts and Crafts style, this beautiful country-style house is widely celebrated as one of the best things to do with kids in Accrington. It serves as an engaging, historic indoor museum where families can explore incredible design masterpieces and expansive surrounding parklands.
Admission to the entire mansion is completely free for all visitors, making it an exceptionally budget-friendly family day out. Voluntary donations are warmly welcomed by cash or card to help maintain the historic collections. Even the on-site vehicle parking is entirely free, ensuring there are no unexpected platform costs during your trip.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this cultural gem provides a brilliant, screen-free educational afternoon. Children can marvel at glowing historical artifacts before letting off steam across the adjacent grass slopes and terraces. The mixture of grand architecture and interactive discovery makes it an ideal spot to introduce young minds to art and design.
Features
- Free
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Activity Features
- Interactive Exhibits: Features custom displays where families can learn the history of glassmaking and craftsmanship together.
- Educational Day Out: Immerses children in Edwardian lifestyle heritage and international art movements inside a preserved historic home.
- Sensory Play Elements: Engages young eyes with vibrant, light-catching glass installations and colourful mosaics across multiple rooms.
- Outdoor Exploration: Provides immediate access to rolling garden paths, wild grass hills, and fresh air trails just outside the gallery doors.
Detailed Highlights
- The Tiffany Glass Exhibition: This world-famous collection is the largest public display of Louis Comfort Tiffany glass in Europe. Kids will love seeing how the glass changes colour when the light streams through the gallery windows.
- The Billiard Room Display: A grand, oak-panelled historic space converted into an exhibition room. It allows families to experience what everyday life looked like for an Edwardian family living in Lancashire.
- The Gallery Kitchen: A lovely on-site tea room built directly into the mansion's historic rooms. It provides a comfortable space for families to enjoy light lunches, sweet treats, or traditional afternoon teas.
- The Artists Studios: Creative workspaces showcasing a rotating variety of local art and design talent. Children can get inspired by watching real modern art being developed right inside the building.
- The Surrounding Park: The sweeping outdoor grounds feature a grand entrance terrace, beautiful wild grass slopes, and formal garden paths. It is perfect for children who want to enjoy a mini-beast hunt or a family walk after viewing the museum collection.
Beyond the Main Attraction
- The Accrington and Haworth Countryside Walk: Families can start a scenic 3.5-mile loop trail right from the gallery car park. The route follows a traffic-free pathway along the Hyndburn Greenway, which is brilliant for family walks and spotting local birds.
6.04 miles
