Bramhall Hall

We left Piccadilly Train Station and after a short train and bus journey, we reached the grounds of Bramhall Hall – a superb Tudor manor house with origins dating back to the Middle Ages. Then we had a short walk to the Hall itself.

We had reserved tables in The Stable Café and pre-ordered our lunches. Between us we had fish butties, chargrilled chicken, 60 second steak, lamb kebab, ham, cheddar, salmon sandwiches and delicious french onion soup with cheese on toast.

We then had a look around the Hall, which was magnificent.

The building is timber-framed and its oldest parts date from the 14th century, with additions from the 16th and 19th centuries. The house functions as a museum and its 70 acres of landscaped parkland are open to the public.

The manor of Bramhall was first described in the Domesday Book in 1086, when it was held by the Massey family. From the late 14th century, it was owned by the Davenports, who built the present house and remained lords of the manor for about 500 years. In 1877, they sold the estate of nearly 2,000 acres to the Manchester Freeholders’ Company, a property company formed to exploit the estate’s potential for residential building development. The hall and a residual park of over 50 acres was sold on by the Freeholders to the Nevill family of successful industrialists.

In 1925, it was purchased by John Henry Davies and then, in 1935, acquired by Hazel Grove and Bramhall Urban District Council. Following a local government reorganisation in 1974, Bramall Hall is now owned by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, which describes it as “the most prestigious and historically significant building in the Bramhall Park Conservation Area.”

Some great photos can be seen here.

Rainbow Lottery Super Draw is HERE!

As a thank you for continuing to support Out In The City this Summer, we’re giving you the chance to win a fantastic Apple MacBook Air in The Rainbow Lottery’s very first Super Draw!

With a slim profile and all day battery life, anything from working on the go to professional level video editing and action packed gaming will be a breeze.

Wait a minute – What’s a “Super Draw?”

Well, if you haven’t already heard, we’re making some changes to our big monthly prize draw! Don’t worry, you’ll still have regular chances to win fantastic prizes, and all the while supporting Out In The City – we’re just improving the experience, and introducing some exciting new ways to play!

The special prize draw will take place on Saturday 26 August. As you already have tickets, you don’t need to do anything extra – so why not take the opportunity to support Out In The City in another way too?

You can now use our Refer a Friend process to invite friends and family to the lottery – and for every person that signs up using your unique referral link, you’ll BOTH get an entry into the exclusive £200 prize draw!

Thank you and good luck! Buy tickets here.

Countdown to the Manchester Pride Weekend, please see the full LGBT Foundation programme.

Pride in Ageing have an event:

Derek Jarman Garden Party – Sunday, 27 August – 12.00pm – 4.00pm

Join Manchester Art Gallery in partnership with Pride in Ageing at LGBT Foundation for an afternoon of creative activities in our lush Pocket Park at the front of the gallery. You can sketch from nature, have a go at photographing our flora and fauna with your phone and create your own biodegradable plant pot to grow beautiful nasturtiums at home. Come along to enjoy our urban oasis.

Candlelit Vigil – Monday, 28 August 9.00pm

The Candlelit Vigil (hosted in partnership with George House Trust) is a significant event that marks the culmination of the Manchester Pride Festival. Taking place in Sackville Gardens, this moment of reflection brings together LGBT+ communities and allies to remember those we have lost to HIV, and to stand united in the fight against the global epidemic and the persistent stigma that surrounds it.