Events

Discover Sundays

Our 'Discover Sundays' programme brings extra value to visits to Norton Priory Museum and Gardens on Sundays.  Activity will be included in the ticket price on Sundays in 2024 from the end of February until the end of October, and on selected Sundays during the autumn and winter. 

The activities will vary from week to week, and will include drama performances, workshops, craft sessions for children, tours, music performances and many more. 'Discover Sundays' have been made possible thanks to Arts Council England as part of Norton Priory joining the National Portfolio.

If you want to make the most of your day out at Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, this is a great way to make for a truly special and memorable day.   Don't forget, our best ticket prices are online (sales end at 11:59pm the day before) and can be found by following the 'Buy Advance Tickets' link which you'll find at the top of most of the pages on this website.

For really great value, why not consider an annual membership?  Adult memberships are £35 per person, Joint memberships (for 2 adults) are £60.  Up to three children are admitted free of charge on any adult membership.  Ask at reception for more information or check out the 'Membership' page on this website.  Members also receive a 10% discount in the museum shop and money off in the Brooke Cafe.

Coming up in September/October 2024:

• 8th Sept: Historia Normannis talk “Hurried Histories”
• 15th Sept: Historia Normannis talk “Medieval Medicine and Monastic Conflict”
• 22nd Sept: Draw Your Dog with Art92
• 6th October: Community Apple Juicing Day
• 13th October: Quince and Apple Weekend Sunday
• 20th October: Walk and Talk by Paul Quigley : The Battle of the Bridgewater Canal
• 27th October: Halloween craft activities

Join Mima Cornish from HedgeRose Healing for meditation in the beautiful surroundings of Norton Priory Museum and Gardens in Runcorn on select Saturday and Sunday mornings.

The sessions vary each week and take the opportunity to access the many different places and atmospheres at Norton Priory, both inside and out, to truly enjoy the present moment. All meditations will be guided, and any mindful activities will be gentle and relaxing, promoting a natural sense of peace. Suitable for all levels from beginners to experienced. Please bring a blanket.

Current Dates for Autumn 2024: 

• Sunday 15th September
• Sunday 29th September
• Saturday 5th October
• Sunday 20th October

During Autumn 2024, Norton Priory is pleased to be partnering Halton Family Hubs for 'Holding Time' at the Georgian Walled Garden.

Holding Time is a socially engaged feminist art project, aiming to create a portrait of breastfeeding across different areas in the UK by photographic artist Lisa Creagh in collaboration with a team of creatives and local mothers who generously shared their breastfeeding experiences in video interviews, live events and a photo shoot.

Across audio, video, animation and stills, they discuss breastfeeding in all its complexity, sharing their views on the many barriers that still mean women who want to breastfeed often stop before they are ready.

For the Halton Family Hubs exhibition, breastfeeding portraits are displayed at Family Hubs across Runcorn and Widnes and as an Audio Tour in the walled garden here at Norton Priory.

This Audio Tour displays podcast interviews with mothers from the project where mothers discuss the personal challenges and triumphs of their breastfeeding journeys.

As part of the exhibition, Halton mothers participated in six weeks of creative writing workshops with writer Rachel New at Halton Lea library in spring of 2024.

You can use the QR codes on the exhibits to listen to their moving performances of poetry and prose, sharing their personal breastfeeding experiences. 

You can find out more about the whole project at www.haltonfamilyhubs.co.uk

You can also listen to a podcast about the workshops here: https://youtu.be/S7a6C82ptNY

This Halton Family Hubs exhibition is the latest development of the Cheshire and Merseyside project, an NHS commissioned initiative funded by Improving Me, the Women's Health and Maternity Programme (WHaM) and Arts Council Lottery Funds. This project was shortlisted by the Royal College of Midwives ‘Excellence in Public Health’ award in 2023.

info@holdingtime.org 

https://linktr.ee/holdingtimeproject 

The exhibition will run until the Walled Garden closes at the end of October 2024.  

Did you know that Norton Priory has very special fruit trees? In the Walled Garden artists from Blue Room have hidden 16 apple artworks. Can you find them all?

Pick up a free trail sheet from our tickets and information desk and head out to the Walled Garden to begin your quest.

A word to the wise… the mischievous Orchard Fairy has swapped some true heritage apples for magical varieties. Can you spot which apples are real and which have been dreamt up by Blue Room artists?

Created with support from Halton Borough Council for Halton 50.

Children must be supervised at all times.
We encourage parents and guardians to join in.
Suitable for ages 4+

This activity is included with general admission. Please note that the trail is outdoors and suitable footwear and clothing should be worn.
The Walled Garden is a 5-10 min walk from the Museum and will involve moving across uneven ground.

Under the Apple Tree is a project exploring nature, sculpture and storytelling. With support from the Henry Moore Foundation it was first developed by artist Alfred Beesley, in collaboration with fellow artists and facilitators from Blue Room, the Bluecoat’s inclusive arts project with learning disabled and neurodivergent adults.

In Spring 2023, Beesley spent time exploring the historic orchard at Norton Priory making sketches, taking photographs and capturing the texture of tree bark. He developed a collection of sculptures inspired by the life cycle of apple trees and developed a technique for creating apple sculptures using paper and yarn. While working in the studio, Beesley would often describe how he would like audiences to interact with his art, sharing magical scenarios that recall fairytales and folklore. The Blue Room team saw a perfect opportunity to share his work as part of the Bluecoat’s popular programme of creative activities for children and families. In Spring 2024, the project was shared at a special creative workshop with immersive storytelling.

Living history group Historia Normannis are back at Norton Priory to deliver this duo of exciting and entertaining historic talks about the Medieval period.    

8th September: 
'Hurried Histories - Meet the Normans!'  Come and find out all about the Medieval kings of the 12th and 13th centuries!  This half hour talk is fun for families, lighthearted and entertaining while also being historically accurate!  Alongside the talk our re-enacters will present a 'show and tell' of medieval clothing, weapons and armour for you to explore, all while dressed in authentic period costume. 

Talk times: 12.30 to 1.15 and 2.45 till 3.30 with opportunities for 'show and tell' in between.  

15th September: 
'Medieval Medicine and Monastic Conflict'.  A 45 mins to 1 hour talk on monastic conflict and the development an uses of medieval medicine in the 12th and 13th centuries.  There will also be a chance to explore a replica medieval medical kit, and authentic costume from Historia Normannis.    

Talk times: 12.30 till 1.30 and 2.30 till 3.30pm with opportunities for 'show and tell' in between. 

All talks are free with general admission.  Children go free!  Up to three children aged 4 to 16 years old get free entry with any paying adult.  Tickets for this event can be booked in advance online through Art Tickets and include general admission.   Please select the date and time of your preferred talk when booking.  Alternatively you can also drop in on the day.  

We always welcome dogs and their owners at Norton Priory, and on the 22nd September we invite you to come and join in with some dog friendly art!

Graphic artist duo Art92 will be here from 12 till 4pm leading animal themed art workshops for beginners, breaking down the graphic art style into simple easy steps for anyone to follow.  We invite you to bring your dog along, and have a go at drawing them in our classroom!  Doggy treats will be on hand for any wriggly sitters, and Art92 artist Helena will be here to give you all the tips you need to create your masterpiece!  

As part of the day, there will be stalls in the atrium from local businesses that cater to dogs and their humans, including healthy treats, dog walking, and grooming services.  

Children go free!  Up to three children are included free with any paying adult.  All activities are included with general admission, and tickets can be bought on line at Art Tickets.  

As the harvest season ends, we are asking visitors to bring your own apples along to our classroom on Sunday 6th October from 12pm till 4pm.  

You will get the chance to use the Norton Priory Apple Press to press and juice your apples to create some fresh and seasonal apple juice!   Bring your own containers to take the juice away with you to enjoy at home.  
This is the perfect opportunity to make use of any spare apples that you might have on trees at home or that you can access from your local area.  

The event is free for the community, and is being supported by Hazlehurst Studios, Runcorn.  www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk 
Once you have juiced your apples why not stay for lunch at the Brooke café and an afternoon visit to the Walled Garden?  The museum is open from 10am till 5pm, the Walled Garden is open until 4pm and the Brooke Café until 4.30pm, normal admission charges apply if visiting the museum and gardens.  

Quince and Apple Weekend returns to Norton Priory with a fun event for all the family.  Located across our entire site, the weekend promises to be a celebration of all things autumnal with food, crafts, games and more. 

Across the whole weekend you will find: 

Produce sales from The Georgian Walled Garden

Norton Priory cakes

Priory Ale brewery

Cheshire Guild of Woodturners

Live music from ‘Fayreplay’

Wildlife activities with rECOrd

Garden Games and Apple Pressing

Local business and food stalls

Saturday 12th October only: 

Under the Apple Tree storytelling trail with Blue Room at Norton Priory and Gav Cross aka ‘the Green Man’ 

Make your own yarn apples with Blue Room 

Northwest Stickmakers

Hazlehurst studios

Sunday 13th October:

Storytelling with Rogan Mills

Traditional skills with Katie Tong

Autumn crafts with Juliet Staines

Incense making with Hedgerose Healing

*Up to three children can enter free of charge with any full paying adult ticket. Additional children will need to pay for entry.

Drop-in creative workshop: 10.30 - 3.30pm, Discovery Space
Storytelling trail: 11.30am & 1.30pm, meet in the atrium

Join artists from Blue Room at Norton Priory in their ‘indoor orchard’. Explore handmade artworks, see a nature inspired animation and listen to an atmospheric soundscape of birdsong. You can get creative and have a go at making your own paper and yarn apple sculpture.

You might spot a snoozing fellow in the indoor orchard, that’s the Green Man who is having a slumber in between leading quests out to the Walled Garden to find the hidden apple artworks. Can you spot them all and find out which are the true heritage apples? Which have been swapped by the Orchard Fairy for magical varieties dreamt up by Blue Room artists?

Created with support from Halton Borough Council for Halton 50.

Children must be supervised at all times.
We encourage parents and guardians to join in.
Suitable for ages 4+

This activity is included with general admission. Please note that the trail is outdoors and suitable footwear and clothing should be worn.
The Walled Garden is a 5-10 min walk from the Museum and will involve moving across uneven ground.

Under the Apple Tree is a project exploring nature, sculpture and storytelling. With support from the Henry Moore Foundation it was first developed by artist Alfred Beesley, in collaboration with fellow artists and facilitators from Blue Room, the Bluecoat’s inclusive arts project with learning disabled and neurodivergent adults.

In Spring 2023, the Beesley spent time exploring the historic orchard at Norton Priory making sketches, taking photographs and capturing the texture of tree bark. He developed a collection of sculptures inspired by the life cycle of apple trees and developed a technique for creating apple sculptures using paper and yarn. While working in the studio, Beesley would often describe how he would like audiences to interact with his art, sharing magical scenarios that recall fairytales and folklore. The Blue Room team saw a perfect opportunity to share his work as part of the Bluecoat’s popular programme of creative activities for children and families. In Spring 2024, the project was shared at a special creative workshop with immersive storytelling.

It’s 1889, and American journalist Nellie Bly thinks she can travel the world in less time than Jules Verne’s famous novel ‘Around the World in 80 Days’. There’s only one problem – she’s a woman. While writing the notes of her adventures, Nellie gives us an insight into her journey, the people she meets, and her determination to prove that if a man can do it, so can she.  Based on the real journals of this remarkable woman, Around the World in 72 Days promises to tell Nellie’s story, in her own words, with her memory of others filling the gaps.

Originally written as a 20-minute devised piece based around Nellie Bly’s book and journals, ‘Around the World In 72 Days’ was first performed at Guildford School of Acting in December 2021, and was shortlisted and performed in May 2022 in St Luke’s Bombed Out Church as part of the Little Liverpool Theatre Festival and was written and performed by Rebekah McLoughlin.

The performance takes place with the stunning Victorian Porch in the Atrium as its backdrop. The performance starts at 7:00pm, doors open at 6:00pm to allow patrons to explore the Museum in private before taking their unreserved seating.

Tickets available from the Art Tickets Website.

Tickets are £10 for Adults, £8 for Children (under 12), with a special price of £7 per person for members of Norton Priory Museum and Gardens. Family Tickets (2 Adults + 2 Children OR 1 Adult + 3 Children) £26. Tickets price includes a £2 Museum Levy which goes towards the upkeep and development of Norton Priory Museum & Gardens.

Running time: Approximately 45 minutes.

Car parking is free and non-alcoholic refreshments will be available to purchase on the evening. The Artistic Directors of A Place for Us Theatre are proud to be hosting this amazing production with Norton Priory Museum & Gardens.

Join Ranger Paul Quigley as he takes us on a walk and talk, tracing the story of the development of the Bridgewater Canal on Norton Priory grounds.  The talk will highlight the story of the battle between the Duke of Bridgewater, and head of Norton Priory's estate Sir Richard Brooke, during the 18th century, when the mansion grounds and lands were being redeveloped.   

This activity is drop in and is included in general admission for the museum and gardens.  Children go free!  Up to three children are included free with any paying adult.  Tickets for admission can be booked online in advance at Art Tickets.  

A Perfect Halloween Event For Adults

After Supper Ghost Stories
Written by Jerome K. Jerome. Read & performed by Gav Cross

The tradition of gathering together to tell ghost stories in the cold and dark of winter surely stretches back to when we first imagined what lurks in the dark corners of the firelight?

The Victorians, however, turned this parlour and party entertainment into an institution and expectation.

First published in 1891, Jerome K Jerome, famed author of Three Men in a Boat, perfectly parodies this spooky and popular amusement with these comic horror stories.

A portmanteau of ghostly tales, told by an unreliable narrator and tied together with nonsense, noise and whiskey-punch...

A Frosty Chiller or a Winter Warmer? Storyteller Gav Cross brings this robust reading of a Victorian gem to life, with an attention-grabbing vibrancy.

The performance takes place with the atmospheric Victorian Porch in the museum's Atrium as its backdrop. The performance starts at 7:00pm, doors open at 6:00pm to allow patrons to explore the Museum in private before taking their unreserved seating.

Suitable for ages 14+

Tickets available from Art Tickets Website

Tickets are £14 for Adults, £10 per person for members of Norton Priory Museum and Gardens. Ticket price includes a £2 Museum Levy which goes towards the upkeep and development of Norton Priory Museum & Gardens (not applicable to members).

Running time: Approximately 1 hour 45 Minutes including interval.

Car parking is free and non-alcoholic refreshments will be available to purchase on the evening. The Artistic Directors of A Place for Us Theatre are proud to be hosting this amazing production with Norton Priory Museum & Gardens.

About After Supper Ghost Stories:

"Gav's After Supper Ghost Stories was a masterclass in storytelling and audience control cleverly masquerading as total drunken nonsense. By the end of the night, even the most restless meme-spewing teen in attendance sat totally captivated by his raucous and suspenseful retelling of these classic tales. We can't wait to welcome him back to The Pound!" Pound Arts

Audience Feedback:

“Excellent story told in a spellbinding way.” “Very charming and genuinely fun!” “Interesting, entertaining, funny, whimsical & mesmerising!”

Developed in Partnership with Spot On Lancashire

About Gav Cross:

"Gav is an exceptional storyteller.” Storyhouse, Chester

"Professional storyteller and comedy performer Gav Cross held the audience in the palm of his hands.” Highlights Rural Touring Scheme

"It's quite astounding how entertaining, funny and enthralling Gav Cross is.” Pound Arts

In the town of ‘Ghoooul’ (not to be confused with ‘Goole’ in Yorkshire), Dr Frankenheinz is rustling up something special for the annual Halloween cooking competition… the HALLOWBEAN!! The Dr hopes his tomatoey terror will dazzle ‘SCARY’ Berry - the most frightful food critic of them all. The only problem is his eeny beany isn’t very scary. In fact, she’s downright lovable! Uh oh. Will Halloween have to be cancelled? Or can the Hallowbean find her scare in time?

 'Fladam are the most amazing, hilarious musical comedy duo' (BBC Radio).

Coming this October, HALLOWBEAN is the brand new musical comedy from Fladam Theatre and Ben Tansey, best known for their BBC Popcorn New Writing Award nominated show ‘Green Fingers’. Following sell out performances in London, Edinburgh and at Glastonbury Festival, the gang are back with more puns, puppetry and spooktastic, singalong, silliness for all the family! (Recommended age: 3 to 11)

Tickets are £10 for Adult with a special price of £8 for members; £7 for Children (under 12); Family Tickets (2 Adults + 2 Children OR 1 Adult + 3 Children) £29

Tickets available from the Art Tickets Website

Running time: Approximately 55 minutes with no interval.

Car parking is free and non-alcoholic refreshments will be available to purchase from the cafe. The Artistic Directors of A Place for Us Theatre are proud to be hosting this amazing production with Norton Priory Museum & Gardens.

The performance takes place inside with the stunning and atmospheric medievil Undercroft as the backdrop. The performances start at 11:00am & 1:30pm, doors open 15 minutes before the performance to allow patrons to take their unreserved seating.

There are some spooky goings on at the Brooke Family mansion this Halloween – come and help members of the household to investigate…

Set within the hauntingly beautiful grounds, this family-friendly event invites visitors of all ages to enjoy Halloween fun in an historic setting. Venture into the eerie woodlands, encounter ghostly figures, and hear tales of the supernatural as you explore in Norton Priory's atmospheric surroundings.

With a mix of spooky storytelling, thrilling activities, and ghoulish games, "A Brooke Family Halloween" promises a memorable and eerie evening. This is a timed event, and includes a storywalk, creative kitchen experiments, animal encounters with Naomi of Animal Teach, and Victorian parlour games.

Suitable for ages 5+, tickets must be pre-booked.

Part of Discover Sundays

Norton Priory heralds in the festive season with the annual Christmas Fair. Come and stock up on early presents at the many local stalls selling Christmas gifts, food, crafts and more.

Enjoy musical entertainment and festive food and drink while you browse and soak up the seasonal atmosphere.

Tickets for this event include general admission, are only £5.00 for the day and can be purchased online in advance on Art Tickets.  Children go free! Up to three children are permitted free entry with any full paying adult.  

He may be very busy...
Checking lists...preparing gifts...checking lists again...feeding up the reindeer...polishing his boots!

But he is never too busy to visit and pop up with his favourite Elves at Norton Priory...

In Person!

With a sack full of silly stories and a chance to check which list you could be on, Father Christmas welcomes you to a Winter Warmer of family friendly giggles, noise and nonsense!

A 60 minute show that includes a chance for every family to meet, greet and chat with Father Christmas, with the help of our Elf!

Audience Quotes:
'Entertaining for children and grown ups alike'

'My face hurt from laughing'

'Thankyou so much for this priceless Christmas memory'

'Absolutely brilliant, fun for children and adults. It was just magical.'

Date: Friday 6th Dec
Show Times; 3pm, 5pm & 7pm

Join us for a heart warming evening as the Liverpool String Quartet brings Howard Blake's enchanting score to life. Narrated by the jolly Father Christmas himself, experience the magic of The Snowman like never before. Let the beautiful melodies transport you to a winter wonderland filled with wonder and joy.

Join the Liverpool String Quartet for a magical performance of Howard Blake’s beloved “The Snowman” at Norton Priory in Runcorn. This enchanting arrangement, crafted especially for the LSQ, promises to bring the magical story of The Snowman to life with this unique event.

This festive experience is perfect for families and music lovers alike, blending captivating storytelling with classical charm set against the backdrop of the Christmas tree and decorations in the stunning Atrium of Norton Priory. Don’t miss this opportunity to create lasting holiday memories with Father Christmas & the Liverpool String Quartet and the enchanting world of The Snowman.

The performances start at 5pm, 6:30pm & 8pm

doors open 15 minutes prior to the performances to allow patrons to take their unreserved seating.

Tickets are £20 for Premium Seating (front 3 rows) and £15 for Standard Unreserved Seating (rows 4 onwards) with a £2 reduction for members of Norton Priory Museum & Gardens

Running time: Approximately 45 minutes. Please note that this is not a screening of the Raymond Briggs animated film.

Car parking is free and non-alcoholic refreshments will be available to purchase on the evening. The Artistic Directors of A Place for Us Theatre are proud to be hosting this amazing production with Norton Priory Museum & Gardens.

An annual Norton Priory favourite, this very special carol concert celebrates the season through a range of well-known Christmas carols and festive favourites.

A glass of mulled wine or orange juice is included at the event.

Tickets can be purchased online via Art Tickets and are priced at £8 for Adults, £7 for children and £7 for members.  

'A Christmas Carol'.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Victorian porch inside the atrium, this immersive production brings Dickens' iconic tale to life in a uniquely atmospheric setting.

Join us for an unforgettable family theatrical experience as Scrooge, the spirits, and the heartwarming characters of Victorian London come alive in this enchanting version of the classic story. This is a perfect way to embrace the festive spirit with a blend of history, drama and Christmas cheer.
Limited tickets available now.

Suitable for ages 7+

Tickets are £12 for Adults, £10 per person for members of Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, £8 for Children (age 7-12), £35 for a Family. 

Running time: Approximately 1 hour with no intervall.

Car parking is free and non-alcoholic refreshments will be available to purchase on the evening. The Artistic Directors of A Place for Us Theatre are proud to produce this amazing production with Norton Priory Museum & Gardens.

The performance takes place with the stunning Victorian Porch in the Atrium as its backdrop. The performances start at 6:00pm & 7:45pm, doors open 15 minutes before the perfomance to allow patrons to take their unreserved seating.

Join us as we come together as the Sun wanes, to give gratitude to the year past and enjoy the energy of celebration as we dance the new Solar year into being. Led by Mima Cornish of HedgeRose Healing and Cindy and Adrian of Myrriad Dance, this event includes circle dancing and time for thoughtful reflection.

Tickets for this special event are £20.00 per adult, and £18.00 for members.  Refreshments will be provided. 

Learn the basics of pruning your fruit trees then get some practical experience using the Norton Priory Museum & Gardens orchards, with guidance and advice from an expert tutor from Heathfield Orchards.

Hedges can be a haven for wildlife, providing shelter, protection, nesting sites and sources of food. Many popular species of our wildlife love hedges, including hedgehogs, small mammals, bats, small song birds and invertebrates.

We are running a hands-on hedge laying course. Learn this ancient craft by laying the hedge around our pear orchard, providing you with the skills to lay your own hedges.

A hands-on workshop to learn about grafting fruit trees from our expert. Graft a couple of small apple trees to take home using Norton Priory's heritage apple varieties.