Tabley House

About the museum

Tabley House was built in 1767 by the York architect John Carr for Sir Peter Byrne Leicester and is the only 18th-century Palladian country house in Cheshire. It has a nine-bay central block with a Doric portico, with two pavilions set back on either side. The house stands on the estate of the Leicester family, whose history there spans about 700 years.

The house is closely linked to Sir John Fleming Leicester, who became the 1st Lord de Tabley. From about 1800 he was a leading patron of British artists, and he took a particular interest in J. M. W. Turner. Unusually for the time, he commissioned works for specific rooms, which is most visible in the Drawing Room, where Turner's view of Tabley hangs. The collection also contains portraits and landscapes by artists such as Lely, Lawrence, Northcote and Reynolds, and furniture by makers including Gillow and Bullock, with pieces attributed to Chippendale.

In 1927 the old hall collapsed and the 17th-century St Peter's Chapel, which had stood on an island in the mere, was moved and re-erected beside the house. The last member of the Leicester family to own the house died in 1975, and the University of Manchester bought it in 1976. The house is still owned by the university, while the Tabley House Collection Trust, a charity, manages the collection on its behalf. Visitors see the original state rooms, which were designed to impress guests.

Highlights

• Turner's view of Tabley House and park in the Drawing Room
• State rooms by John Carr, including the Gallery and the Oak Hall
• British portraits by Lely, Lawrence, Northcote and Reynolds
• Furniture by Gillow and Bullock and two working virginals
• St Peter's Chapel with a Burne-Jones window

Permanent exhibitions

• The state rooms and art collection – The original state rooms hold paintings collected by the Leicester family, including Turner's view of Tabley and portraits by Lely, Lawrence and Reynolds.
• The furniture collection – Georgian and Regency furniture by Gillow and Bullock, pieces attributed to Chippendale, and two working virginals from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Operated by

Tabley House Collection Trust (owned by the University of Manchester)

Admission & discounts

Contactless payment is preferred. The Tea Room and St Peter's Chapel can be entered without a ticket.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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

Step-free access to the state rooms is available for visitors with disabilities. Visitors who use the usual entrance should expect uneven surfaces and steps.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The house is on Tabley Lane near Knutsford.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The Tea Room is in the Old Hall Room and serves light refreshments, teas, coffees, sandwiches, cakes and afternoon teas with table service.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 100 guests.

The house is licensed for weddings and civil partnerships, with ceremonies normally in the Gallery and receptions in the Portico Room; the chapel can host blessings. Events are generally held in the Portico Room or the Gallery, each holding up to 100 people, and food and drink can only be consumed in the Portico Room. The house is also hired for filming and photo shoots.

Plan your visit