Another leisurely start to end our outings programme for 2026.
The garden centre and leisure complex at Barton Grange has won awards for its presentations and displays over the Christmas period. There are a number of themed displays full of baubles, garlands and festive forestry. Add to the mix festive food and drink, and some great gifting ideas.
The coach will pick up at Formby, Ainsdale, Birkdale, Southport and Churchtown. Please see SoFA Autumn magazine for details. The cost to include travel and gratuities.
Barton Grange at Christmas
If you are not a member but would like to attend any events or to join our association, please fill in Contact Form.
With an outside temperature of 34 Degrees Centigrade, I was pleased to have chosen an air- conditioned coach journey to Stockport. Our destination was the cool comfort of the Plaza Cafe and the equally pleasant surroundings of the Stockport Hat Museum – the only museum of the hatting industry in the UK.
Hat Museum
The ever reliable Don Fraser Coaches provided the comfortable transport to the complex in Stockport. The cafe environment reflects the Art Deco style of the 1932 design of the theatre/cinema complex and has been an integral part, serving lunches and afternoon teas. SoFA members were served a light lunch by friendly, efficient staff who took particular care to manage the dietary issues of some members.
The next stop in the itinerary was the hat museum, just a short walk from the Plaza. After a warm welcome we were organised into two groups for a guided tour of the exhibition of the hatting process and factory machinery. The guides explained the historical timeline from it’s beginning, the early factory scale models and the continuous innovation of production and products until closure in the late 20th Century. By the end we could easily distinguish felt from woollen hats, explain the sourcing and role of shellac, while learning of the working and social conditions linked with the process and piece working. Members had time to browse among the many hats on display on the exhibition floor. Colourful displays of headgear through the centuries to modern interpretation and use of plastics. There was a final pit stop in the museum cafe before an uneventful journey home. Another enjoyable SoFA outing.
If you are not a member but would like to attend any of our events or are interested in joining our Association, please complete Contact Form.
Our outing on 21st May was to Tatton Hall and Park in Knutsford. The weather was sunny and warm so perfect for our trip over to Cheshire. On arrival we were met at the car park by a very knowledgeable Guide who was expecting our coach party. After a brief introduction to the house and park he led us through to the courtyard cafe where most of us had a coffee. Despite the forecast the weather stayed fine and we enjoyed the gardens and grounds. The rhododendrons and azaleas being particularly colourful. Most people made their way up to the Japanese Garden before returning to the cafe for lunch.
In the afternoon we expored the Mansion. Although the Egerton family had owned the estate since 1598 they did not live there until the early 18th Century when a house was built. In 1729 Samuel Egerton, a second son so not due to inherit went to Venice to be apprentice to his uncle Joseph Smith. In 1738 Samuel’s brother died so he did inherit the estate. Then in 1758 Joseph Smith died leaving a vast legacy to Samuel. This enabled the Mansion to be built at Tatton and the huge collection of art and fine furnishings kept together. There is currently an exhibition in the Mansion called Beyond the View. This outlines the experience of the extraordinary journey of Samuel Egerton from Cheshire to Venice and his connection to the celebrated artist Canaletto. The highlight of the exhibition being two remarkable Canaletto paintings.
Our next outing is to the Hat Museum and Exhibition at the Plaza Complex in Stockport on August 13th. If you are not a member but would like to attend any of our events or are interested in joining our Association, please complete 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.
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.
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.
