We will visit the award winning Bury Market which has plenty to offer visitors. The market dates back to the 1440’s and is renowned for its diverse mix of stalls which makes it one of the largest in the North of England. Bury also has many fine buildings, including the Fusilier Museum. Immerse yourself in the history of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and explore 300 years of their history. There are also the Art Museum, Sculpture Centre and Transport Museum. Bury has many cafes to offer those seeking lunch.
In the afternoon we will have a trip on the East Lancashire Railway from Bury to Rawtenstall, traversing the Lancashire countryside. We then journey back to Bury before our return to Southport.
Please note this outing will involve some walking.
The coach will pick up at Churchtown, Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale and Formby. See SoFA Spring Magazine for details. The cost to include train ride, 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.
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 outing on 29th April was to Sizergh Castle calling at Barton Grange Garden Centre for coffee. The weather was warm and sunny so perfect for our trip up to Cumbria. We enjoyed our coffee stop at the impressive Barton Grange before travelling further north to our destination. We were made very welcome by the staff at Sizergh Castle and everyone found plenty to see and do during our time there. Sizergh Castle is a medieval home and is still inhabited by the Strickland family. The castle is filled with treasures and stories of historical interest. The room guides were very friendly and knowledgeable and made our journey through the castle all the more interesting. There is a beautiful garden for all seasons and of particular interest during our visit were the stunning displays of tulips. Also of note was the mirror lake, working kitchen garden, apple orchard and limestone rock garden.
Sizergh Castle gardens
We all appreciated the sunshine and fresh air and agreed the outing to Sizergh was very relaxed and enjoyable. Our next trip is to Chirk Castle and Gardens, a magnificent fortress of the Welsh Marches situated near Wrexham. The outing will take place on Wednesday 21st 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.
We will visit the award winning Bury Market which has plenty to offer visitors. The market dates back to the 1440’s and is renowned for its diverse mix of stalls which makes it one of the largest in the North of England. Bury also has many fine buildings, including the Fusilier Museum. Immerse yourself in the history of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and explore 300 years of their history. There are also the Art Museum, Sculpture Centre and Transport Museum. Bury has many cafes to offer those seeking lunch.
