After a leisurely start, we arrive at the PlazaComplex in Stockport for a light lunch of soup, sandwiches and a hot drink. Afterwards, we walk the short distance to the building housing the UK’s only site dedicated to the hatting industry, hats and headwear. We will have a guided tour of the hat making process and time to enjoy the exhibition of headwear through the generations.
Before our return, refreshments should be available at the museum cafe. There are no access issues. Please advise of any special dietary requirements when booking.
The coach will pick up at Churchtown, Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale and Formby. See SoFA Spring Magazine for details. The cost to include travel, lunch, guided tour and gratuities.
If you are not a member but would like to attend any events or to join our Association, please fill in Contact Form.
Tatton is a country estate of 1000 acres of parkland. Within this are formal gardens, a walled kitchen garden, historic glasshouses and a hundred year old Japanese garden. The 18th century house contains the collection of the Egerton family. Refreshments can be purchased at the Stables Restaurant and possibly the Gardener’s Cottage. The stable yard also has a gift shop and second hand bookstore. There is also a working farm to visit with an admission charge of £10.
Most of the paths are compacted gravel. There are stairs to the upper level of the Mansion. The farmyard is cobbled. Electric buggies and wheelchairs are available, ring 01625 374400 to pre-book.
Please remember to bring your NT membership card to gain free access.
The coach will pick up at Churchtown, Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale and Formby. See SoFA Spring magazine 2026 for details. The cost to include travel and gratuities.
If you are not a member but would like to attend any events or join our Association, please fill in Contact Form.
Welcome to Lyme, once the home to the Legh family, nestling on the edge of the Peak District. Step back in time and enjoy lavish interiors of the Regency Era at Lyme Hall. Explore the elegant Italian Garden, Dutch Garden and Reflection Lake. Visit the luxurious herbaceous borders where a certain Mr Darcy met Miss Bennett in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice.
There are several tea rooms and food outlets at Lyme including the Timber Yard Cafe out in the deer park offering drinks and warm snacks. Delicious light lunches are available in the Ale Cellar Tea Room situated in the house.
A free shuttle bus service runs from the main car park to the house and there is an accessible route around the property.
Please remember to bring your NT membership card to gain free entry.
Deer Park at Lyme
The coach will pick up at Churchtown, Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale and Formby. See SoFA Spring Magazine for details. The cost to include travel and gratuities.
If you are not a member but would like to attend any events or to join our Association, please fill in Contact Form.
Our first outing of 2024 was to Anderton Boat Lift in Northwich, Cheshire on 17th April. It is the only working boat lift in the England and is affectionately known as the Cathedral of the Canals. The boat lift was designed by Edwin Clark in 1875 to transfer boats between the River Weaver and the Trent & Mersey canal across a height of 50 feet. It was in operation for over 100 years until it closed in 1983 due to corrosion. After a huge renovation project which cost over £7 million, it opened to the public again in 2002.
Our members all enjoyed the opportunity to have a boat trip along the River Weaver with excellent commentary by an expert guide. We learned about salt making in Cheshire which was originally extracted from the ground by a series of brine pits. The production of salt really put Northwich on the map and saw the creation of the Brunner Mond Plant. Producing Soda Ash, the plant went on to be called Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) and is now known as Tata Chemicals Europe.
Our boat then moved into the boat lift which is a two caisson lift lock for our ascent up from the River Weaver to the Trent & Mersey canal. There is about a 15 metre drop between the canal and the river. Our guide continued his knowledgable and witty explanation of how the boat lift works whilst we were moved vertically between the two navigable waterways. The structure which is around 25 metres tall is designated as a scheduled monument and is included in the National Heritage List for England. It is also known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways.
After our boat trip we disembarked at the Trent & Mersey canal and at the visitor centre we enjoyed a delicious cream tea in the cafe. We all appreciated the sunshine and fresh air and agreed that the outing was relaxed and very enjoyable. Our next trip is to the National Trust property Erdigg near Wrexham with a coffee stop at Cheshire Oaks on the outward journey. This outing will take place on Tuesday 14th May.
If you are not a member but would like to attend any of our events or are interested in joining our Association, please complete the Contact Form. Your enquiry will then be forwarded to the relevant organiser.
The Anderton Boat Lift is one of only two working boat lifts in the UK and is affectionately known as the Cathedral of the Canals. Designed by Edwin Clark in 1875 to transfer boats between the River Weaver and the Trent & Mersey Canal across a height of 50 feet. It was in operation for over 100 years until it closed in 1983 due to corrosion. After a huge renovation project it opened to the public again in 2002.
This is an opportunity to have an afternoon one hour boat trip with full commentary which includes a ride in the Anderton Boat Lift. Afterwards a cream tea will be served.
On site there is a Visitor Centre, canal walks and a coffee shop serving snacks and sandwiches. Alternatively bring a packed lunch to eat outside at the picnic tables.
NOTE: Debit or credit cards will be required as the Visitor Centre is a cashless site.
Cost to include coach, boat trip, cream tea and gratuities. The coach will pick up at Churchtown, Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale and Formby. See Spring magazine 2024 for further details. Postal applications only please with s.a.e
If you are interested in this outing or would like to join our association please fill out Contact Form.
The advert in our Spring Magazine invited members to come and enjoy a summer’s day in Arley Hall Gardens. The visit on 17th August was planned last October and so we were thankful that 50 of our members were able to take in the splendour of The Gardens in bright summer sunshine. The work to design and preserve the Arley estate took almost 300 years. This gave us the opportunity to wander through eight acres of formal gardens. These included walled, flag, and kitchen gardens, sculptured Ilex columns, a meandering rootery followed by a cool woodland walk.
The imposing red brick hall contrasted with the green lawns alongside the Furlong Walk. The famous double herbaceous border was a riot of colour. Members were able to begin and end their visit in the friendly atmosphere of the Garden Kitchen Cafe. There was ample time together for friends and new members to be able to share their experiences in this special place of colour and interest. And home by teatime!
If you are not a member but would like to attend any of our events or are interested in joining our Association, please complete our Contact Form.
With thanks to Frank Hyland for the article and to Michael Rofe for providing the photographs.
process and time to enjoy the exhibition of headwear through the generations.
The 
