Hoghton Tower
Fortified manor house high on a hill in the heart of Lancashire.
Preston, Lancashire, PR5 0SH
Facilities
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Cafe / restaurant
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Free parking
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Shop
- Access statement available
Steeped in history and commanding breathtaking views across Lancashire, Hoghton Tower offers something for everyone at all times of year.
Plan your fairytale wedding, take a tour round the house, wander through the gardens, sample local produce at the Farmers’ Market, or just call in for coffee and cake to soak up some history!
Hoghton Tower, a Grade I listed building, is the ancestral home of the de Hoghton family. The de Hoghtons are descended directly from Harvey de Walter, one of the companions of William the Conqueror, and through the female line from Lady Godiva of Coventry, wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia.
Re-created in 1565 by Thomas Hoghton, this ancient, fortified, hilltop manor house occupies a commanding position, 650ft above sea level.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Hoghton Tower offers a variety of attractions and events for visitors throughout the year. Below is a detailed summary of the opening times and conditions for each attraction and event:
General Opening Times
The Tea Room is open from Thursday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Pre-booking is essential for Afternoon Tea.
House Tours
- Guided House Tours: Available from 3rd April to 5th October, on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Tours run hourly from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Pre-booking is recommended.
- Self-Guided House Visits: Available on selected Saturdays during the same period. The house is open from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with the last entry at 3:30 PM.
Gardens
The gardens are open from 3rd April to 5th October, Thursday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with the last entry at 3:30 PM.
Special Events
- Farmers' Market: Held on the third Sunday of every month.
- Valentine’s Afternoon Tea: 14th February 2026 at 2:30 PM.
- Hoghton Tower School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: 18th to 22nd February 2026.
- Family-Friendly Spooky Tours: 20th February 2026.
- Frightful Folklore: 28th February and 8th March 2026.
- Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea: 14th and 15th March 2026.
- Dead & Breakfast – A Murder Mystery Evening: 21st March 2026.
- Afternoon Tea with Trouble at’ Mill: 26th March 2026.
- Jane Eyre Performance: 18th April 2026.
- Wedding Open Day: 26th April 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Additional Information
Members of Historic Houses can enjoy free guided tours upon presentation of a valid membership card. Pre-booking is recommended but not essential.
For group visits, special rates are available for groups of over 20 people, and private tours can be arranged year-round.
Visitors are encouraged to pre-book tickets for all attractions and events to ensure availability.
Historic Houses members visit the house for free (Guided Tours & Unguided House Visit). Any special tours are not included. Pre-booking is recommended on the house’s website.
Tickets for the house include access to the gardens (subject to garden opening times)
House and Gardens
Guided Tour – Adult £14 (£12.70 without Gift Aid)
Guided Tour – Child £7.50 (£6.80 without Gift Aid)
Unguided House Visit (Saturday Only) – Adult £11 (£10 without Gift Aid)
Unguided House Visit (Saturday Only – Child £5.50 (£5 without Gift Aid)
Gardens only – Adult £4.40 (£4 without Gift Aid)
Gardens Only – Child £2.20 (£2 without Gift Aid)
We welcome groups of 20 or more to the Tower all year round. Advance booking is essential.
Private group tours start at £11 per person.
Refreshments ranging from tea and coffee on arrival to an afternoon tea or buffet lunch can also be booked in advance.
Find out more and enquire on our website.
A school visit to Hoghton Tower allows you to get up close and personal with almost 1000 years of history and experience stories from the Tower’s past come to life with our talented team of tour guides. Walk in the footsteps of some of the most famous figures from English History, and discover fun facts about this truly fascinating building, covering a range of curriculum topics from KS1, 2 and 3 during school visits.
Venture into the underground passages and journey deep down to the dungeons, explore life beyond living memory and discover a world in miniature with our incredible historic dolls’ house collection. Learn how the local area has been significantly influenced and shaped by the people that have lived and worked at Hoghton Tower, starting from 1565 when the house was rebuilt.
With our expert guides at the helm of every visit, each tour can be tailored to your specifications and pitched to the specific age group and key stage. They not only reveal secrets of Hoghton Tower’s history, but are also able to answer questions any curious pupils might have.
Our tours contain an interesting and informative look at the long history of Hoghton Tower, but leaving out the boring bits. We encourage interaction with role-play as your class are invited to recreate iconic moments in our history such as King James I knighting the loin of Beef.
Find out more and enquire on our website.
- Access statement available
Getting here
Preston, Lancashire, PR5 0SH
M65/J3. Between Preston & Blackburn on A675.
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