Event type: Other

Experience Phantoms at the Priory in a whole new light (or dark!). On selected evenings in February and March the Museum will open after hours so that you can enjoy the spectre of the Phantoms after dark. 

Commissioned specially for Norton Priory by the team behind York’s hugely popular ‘Ghosts in the Garden’. These installations allow visitors to come face to face with some of the characters who have shaped the 900 year history of Norton Priory. 

Follow the trail around the Museum and Medieval Undercroft to sit before the Duke of Bridgewater, find the three mice and spooky spider, see the lady in the ballgown, an angel’s face, an apparition of an arm, the Abbot, a Georgian couple in conversation, and take a seat next to the contemplative Canon. 

Can you capture a photo of a Phantom? 

The lights will be turned down low for this atmospheric experience. 

General Admission daytime tickets are also valid for the evening. The Walled Garden will close in line with normal opening hours. The Museum grounds will close at 5pm.

Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, situated on the edge of Runcorn, is one of Cheshire’s hidden gems. Once home to a medieval church, this is the most excavated monastic site in Europe. Visitors can explore the 12th century undercroft with beautiful vaulted ceiling and the priory ruins showing the layout of the medieval buildings.

The museum displays thousands of objects discovered at the site, which tell the 900-year history from priory to mansion house and the stories of the people who lived there.

Held: 27 February, 13 and 31 March

Phantoms at the Priory is Norton Priory Museum and Garden’s latest art installation.  Following last year’s successful ‘Mars at the Museum’, they’re delighted to welcome the phantoms to the museum, based in Runcorn, Cheshire. Commissioned specially for Norton Priory by the team behind York’s hugely successful ‘Ghosts in the Garden’, this installation allows visitors to come face to face with some of the characters who have shaped the 900-year history of this remarkable place.

Meet an abbot, take a selfie with a canon, and see a kneeling knight.

Spend some time with Brooke family members, welcome a guest arriving for a summer ball, and find out what upset the Duke of Bridgewater.

Outside, see the Head Gardener at work, tending the vegetable plots.  And there are a few smaller surprises to discover as well. Come and see the ‘echoes of the past’ for yourself.  They’re open from 10am – 4pm (closing at 5pm from Mothering Sunday).

Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, situated on the edge of Runcorn, is one of Cheshire’s hidden gems. Once home to a medieval church, this is the most excavated monastic site in Europe. Visitors can explore the 12th century undercroft with beautiful vaulted ceiling and the priory ruins showing the layout of the medieval buildings.

The museum displays thousands of objects discovered at the site, which tell the 900-year history from priory to mansion house and the stories of the people who lived there.

No need to book, pay on arrival at the museum.  Keep an eye on the events page of their website for details of upcoming events linking to the exhibition! You’ll find it at www.nortonpriory.org/events.

Got stuff you don’t need? Bring it to Circular Arts Network LCR’s Destash Sale and Materials Swap for a fun day of trading and finding new treasures!

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February, 12noon – 4pm (Preview evening: 6-8pm on Friday 13th)

Bring along some of your own materials that you no longer want or need, to swap for something exciting and new to you!

There will be a selection of fabrics, haberdashery and other materials available to buy or swap. A great opportunity to go through your stash of materials long forgotten or leftover from some old project. Or the ones that have never found the right project for, but they’re too good to just throw away!

Come and share resources and ideas with members of our crafty community. Many items also available to buy on a donation basis for those who want to come to shop instead of swap.

Launch of Melissa-Kate SS26 collection; debut solo show in designer Meliisa-Kate’s hometown of Birkenhead. After showcasing during London Fashion Week for three seasons, the designer is collaborating with an array of creatives in the Merseyside area to bring fashion events back to the region.

Expect an ultra-feminine, flamboyant party where dressing over the top is highly encouraged. Hun Couture is taking over.

Shelly’s a County Road girl, born and bred, through and through. Once upon a time, she had it all – the looks, the talent, the fire in her belly. But now she’s forty-something, and life’s all gone a bit… naff. Work is fine, her mates are sound, and her hubby Mick is always there when she needs him, but something’s missing. She knows deep down, she was born to be singer. Back in the day – before she was Mick’s missus – she had a song and a dream.
This isn’t how her story ends… there’s still a song in her – and it’s dying to be heard. Anthony next doorstep thinks Shelly’s got what it takes to make it… so he’s entered her into ‘The Next Big Thing’ (like Pop Idol, but less fake tears and glitter).
Could Shelly really swap the streetlamps of County Road for the spotlights of stardom? Or is she destined to save her singing talents for a once-in-a-blue moon karaoke night down at The Black Horse?
She just might be the best Country & Western singer the North West’s ever seen – better than Dolly Garston, better than Garth TueBrooks, and definitely better than Manc Williams. Come and join Shelley on her journey from Wavertree to Tennessee (or thereabouts) in Adam McCoy’s brand-new comedy. We’ll have you laughing and singing until the cowboys come home!

Performance Information 

Stalls tickets are available with a meal (served at your table before the show) for an extra £14 for one course and £20 for two courses at evening shows Click here to see our menu or an extra £10 at matinees (scouse or blind scouse only). If you are eating with us please arrive at least an hour before the performance. 

Tickets are available for the show alone in stalls, circle and balcony. 

Circle and balcony will open at 6.45pm. There are bars in both areas for pre-show and interval drinks. Stalls will be open from 6:00pm. If you are bringing a large group, every tenth ticket is free. This ticket will be automatically added to your basket on purchase. Meals and building levy must still be paid on your free ticket. 

NO BOOKING FEES ON THIS SHOW 

Each ticket price includes a £2 donation which is used to help to refurbish the building. 

Please contact Box Office to book if you are a wheelchair user.

Please contact Box Office to book if you are a wheelchair user as we can only accommodate 5 spaces in our stalls seating area downstairs

BSL performance is on Tuesday 25 August  (interpreter Karl Llorca) . Audio Described performance is on Wednesday 26th August  (describer Anne Hornsby). To book please contact Box Office on 0151 709 4321 or email lauren@royalcourtliverpool.com. 

Captioning will be available for performances for the final week of the show. Please contact Box Office for more details. 

Please note – the bar will close 15 minutes before the advertised start time. 

Join us at The Atkinson in Southport for a full day celebrating the richness and vibrancy of Ukrainian culture.

The day will begin with a coffee morning, followed by a performance from a local Ukrainian choir. There will be opportunities to get hands‑on with craft workshops suitable for all ages inspired by traditional Ukrainian art. A community exhibition will run alongside the activities, offering a chance to learn more about Ukrainian heritage, creativity and resilience through stories, artworks and personal contributions. You will also see members of the Ukrainian community dressed in traditional garments woven with colour and symbolism.

This free, drop‑in event is open to everyone, and we’d love for you to come along and experience the rich tapestry of Ukrainian traditions at The Atkinson, Southport.