Alford Manor House

About the museum

Alford Manor House is a brick-encased, timber-framed house with a thatched roof, built around 1611 and reputed to be the largest thatched manor house in England. It is listed Grade II*. Around 1638 it was sold to Sir Robert Christopher, a Royalist in the Civil War, and later passed through marriage to the Dukes of Rutland before being let to tenants, among them the Higgins family, whose land agent John Higgins ran an estate office from an annex from about 1820.

In 1958 Dorothy Higgins, a descendant, bought the house, and in 1967 she gave it to the town. The Alford Civic Trust was set up to look after it, and it is now run by the Alford and District Civic Trust, a registered charity, with volunteers. To pay for upkeep, part of the first floor was once let to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust while a folk museum used the other floors.

A restoration costing 1.7 million pounds between 2003 and 2006 found that the timber frame was at risk of collapse and repaired it. Today the house is shown with period-style furnishings, and visitors can also see the gardens, the tea rooms and the Museum of Rural Life, which can have limited access while building work continues.

Highlights

• Thatched manor house of about 1611, Grade II* listed
• Period-style furnished rooms
• Museum of Rural Life
• Gardens and tea rooms open to all visitors
• Restored with a 1.7 million pound project in 2003 to 2006

Operated by

Alford and District Civic Trust

Admission & discounts

Prices for 2026, for the manor house and gardens. Civic Trust members and exhibitors are admitted free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Level access to the tea room, with movable tables. The front entrance has a small lip and a portable ramp is available on request; some first-floor rooms have a single step, with a portable ramp for that level, and the attic is reached by stairs only. A lift serves the first floor and marquee. The garden is reached by a ramp through the marquee and its paths are gravel. Two accessible toilets (rear of the marquee and first floor), and an induction loop in the Front Sitting Room. Signed accessible parking spaces are next to the paved footpath. The Museum of Rural Life is described as fully accessible, but access may be limited while building work continues.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

Children’s meals are served in the tea rooms and a family ticket (two adults and up to four children) is available.

Getting there & parking

From the A16 take the A1104 at Ulceby Cross roundabout; from Sutton on Sea take the A1111 and from Mablethorpe the A1104. Sat nav postcode LN13 9HT.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Tea rooms open to the public without a house ticket: drinks 10am to 3:45pm and home-made lunches 11am to 3pm, including children’s meals, gluten-free bread on request and cream teas.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The house and tea rooms can be hired for weddings, functions and funeral teas; group visits can be booked.

Plan your visit