On Monday 6th December 2021 the coach trip group enjoyed visiting Leighton Hall on the outskirts of Carnforth.
On arrival we were warmly met by the current owner, Susan Reynolds, who welcomed us to her estate to enjoy a festive theme visit to the Hall. We learnt about the history of the house and the ancestral home of the Gillow family.
Waring & Gillow was a noted firm of English furniture manufacturers and antique dealers formed in 1897 by the merger of Gillows of Lancaster and London and Waring of Liverpool. Members who lived in Southport for a number of years will remember a Wareing & Gillow furniture store on Lord Street, Southport.
The Hall was decorated for Christmas, with each room having a festive theme. There was even a Christmas tree in each of the bedrooms!! It was very much a hands on experience in which we could thoroughly explore each of the rooms by touching items of interest and sitting on a variety of chairs etc. Nothing seemed to be out of bounds.
The views from each of the rooms was spectacular, overlooking the estate.
Following our visit to Leighton Hall we then traveled to Ambleside to visit Hayes Garden Centre for a Christmas shopping experience.
Derek Kershaw
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