Events for 2010

January

February

Sun 7 2.30-3.30pm
The Walled Garden in Winter
A special Sunday tour of the historic Georgian Walled Garden.

Mon 15 & Tues 16 
Half Term fun for families – Brilliant bird boxes!
Help the birds to find a home by making a bird box for your garden! £3.50 to take bird box home. Booking Essential On Arrival. Workshops at 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2pm and 3pm. 

Sun 28 8.30 – 11.30 am
Meet the birds!
A close encounter with the amazing variety of bird life at Norton Priory, with Merseyside Ringing Group and Dave Norman. Booking Essential. Wrap up warm!

March

Sun 7 1-4pm
Meet the artist…and take part in the art
An informal opportunity to meet ‘Exploring Halton’s Collections’ artist Jeni McConnell. Find out what she has discovered through the project and explore the collections and ‘collecting’ for yourself.

Sun 7 2.30-3.30pm
The Walled Garden in Winter
A special Sunday tour of the historic Walled Garden

Sun 28 March 12-4pm
Plant Sale
The ever popular spring plant sale.

April

Mon 5 & Tues 6 1-4pm
Easter Animal Magic
Family friendly activities all about animal babies!

Sun 11 1.30-2.30pm
Halton Castle Tour
A special guided tour of Halton Castle. Booking essential.

Sun 25 2.30-3.30pm
Bluebell Walk
Find out all about the iconic bluebell on this woodland walk with local conservation expert Paul Oldfield.

May

Sun 2 6pm – 11pm
Let’s ABBA Party! 
A special evening of music at the Walled Garden in aid of Halton Haven Hospice. For ticket details call 0151 495 2111

Sun 2 2.30 – 3.30 pm
History Highlights Tour
Enjoy a special guided tour of the Museum and Undercroft

Mon 3 1-4pm
Bank Holiday Fun for Families - Where did you get that hat?
Have fun with Hats and headgear through the ages.

Sun 16 12 – 4pm
National Gardens Scheme day
Special opening in aid of the National Gardens Scheme (normal admission charges apply)

Mon 31 & Tues 1 June 1-4pm
Bank Holiday Fun for families – Down the Rabbit Hole!
Don’t be late! Join the search for the White Rabbit and enjoy weird and wonderful games based on the Alice in Wonderland stories. In partnership with Daresbury All Saints Church.

June

Sun 6 12-4pm
Plant Hunters Fair
Sale of unusual and interesting plants from specialist nurseries, next to the Walled Garden. Free entry to the Fair, normal admission charges apply to the Walled Garden.

Sun 13 2.30-3.30pm
Garden Highlights Tour
Enjoy a special guided tour of the Walled Garden

Sat 26 6pm 
Walled Garden Blues
A special evening concert raising money for Age Concern Cheshire, featuring live music. Booking Essential. For all enquiries phone 01606 881660

July

Sun 11 1.30-2.30pm
Halton Castle Tour
A special guided tour of Halton Castle. Booking essential.

Mon 26 and Tues 27 1-4pm
Summer Fun - Drawing the Past 
Find out how archaeologists record what they find in the ground, have a go yourself and create your own artwork using photographs and drawing. Part of Festival of Archaeology.

August

Sun 1 1-4pm

Whatever the Weather

Find out how Norton Priory copes in all weathers and help us protect the Priory for the Future! With fun activities for all ages! FREE admission to the site (some activities are chargeable)

Mon 2 & Tues 3 1-4pm
Summer Fun! – Buzzin’ like a Bee!
Have a bee-rilliant time with fun family activities

Sun 8 2.30 -3.30 pm
History Highlights Tour
Enjoy a special guided tour of the Museum and Undercroft

Mon 9 & Tues 10 1-4pm
Summer Fun whatever the weather - Mosaic Mania
Be inspired by the mosaic trail at the Walled Garden and make your own piece of mosaic art

Mon 16 & Tues 17 1-4pm
Summer Fun! – Creatures of the Night!
Find out what lives at Norton Priory when the lights go out, with fun activities for all the family

Aug 16 7.30 pm – 9pm
Get Batty!
Discover the creatures that only come out a night on this Ranger led walk exploring the woods at dusk. Including craft activity for children. £2.50 per child (under 5s free)

Mon 23 & Tues 24 1-4pm
Summer Fun! – Little Monsters!
Bring your little monsters along for a wild afternoon of den building and monster madness!

Wed 25 7pm
Bat Walk
An informative talk and bat walk with Tony Parker from Cheshire Mammal Group. £2 per person – suitable for 14 years and over.

Mon 30  1-4pm
Bank Holiday fun for families - Sensory Splendour
Use your senses to discover the colours, sounds and smells that once brought Norton Priory to life. 
In association with The Merseyside Archaeological Society

September

Sun 12 1-4pm
Heritage Open Day at Halton Castle
FREE ENTRY to Halton Castle and Norton Priory.
Discover the story of the Castle and Castlefields through the ages with activities for all ages!
A free shuttle bus will run between the Castle and Museum. Part of Heritage Open Days.

Sun 19 2-4pm
Grow & Show
Our ever popular Horticultural Show back for its 24th year. Including a section just for kids! Contact us for an entry form.

October

Sun 3 2.30 – 3.30pm
Garden Highlights Tour – Quince Walk
Enjoy a special guided tour of the Walled Garden

Sun 17 12-4pm
Quince & Apple Day
Celebrate Autumn and the 21st birthday of the Walled Garden! With tours, games, arts and crafts and plant sales, there is something for everyone! In partnership with Halton Borough Council and the Cheshire Landscape Trust. Make sure you arrive early to bag some quince!

Mon 25 & Tues 26 1-4pm
Half Term Halloween fun for families
Traditional Halloween activities in the spooky medieval Undercroft!

November

Sun 7 2.30-3.30pm
The Walled Garden in Winter
A special Sunday tour of the historic Walled Garden

Sun 14 2.30 -3.30pm
History Highlights Tour
Enjoy a special guided tour of the Museum and Undercroft

December

Sun 5 2.30-3.30pm
The Walled Garden in Winter
A special Sunday tour of the historic Walled Garden

Sat 11 4-5pm
Family Carol Singing in the Undercroft
Booking essential. Tickets available from 1st September 2010. Tickets £3 each.

Sun 12 4-6pm
Carol Service
An atmospheric Christmas celebration in the medieval Undercroft, led by the Vicar of Norton. Booking essential. Tickets available from 1st September 2010. Tickets £3 each.