Upstairs, downstairs brought to life at Gawthorpe Hall

A 'Meet the Butler and Housekeeper' event will take place on Sunday 9 October, from 12pm to 4pm at Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley.

Visitors will get the chance to step back in time as history will be brought to life. The housekeeper and butler will take up residence for the afternoon in full period costume. They will talk to visitors about how a grand Victorian home was run and about the household that used to work in Gawthorpe Hall.

As part of this event, visitors will also have a rare chance to explore the Victorian kitchen located in the basement of the house, using the spiral staircase.

County Councillor Marcus Johnstone, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for environment, planning and cultural services, said: "This event really does bring history to life, and gives a glimpse of what life was like, both upstairs and downstairs, for some people working at Gawthorpe Hall in the 1890s.

"This was a different era. In a grand Victorian house, below stairs were the servants and the butler. The aristocratic family they served lived upstairs.

"The kitchen isn't always open to the public so being able to see it is a rare opportunity. Visitors will even use the spiral staircase, just like the servants did, to reach it.

"The housekeeper will also be there to talk about the menus for grand banquets and time saving gadgets in Victorian days.

"Visitors can also try to write a menu using a quill pen!"

"It should be a fun and informative day out that the whole family can enjoy."

The event is included in normal admission charge to the Hall. Admission is £4 for adults and £3 for concessions. National Trust members and children go free.

For more information and to book tickets, telephone 01282 771004 or email [email protected]

Gawthorpe Hall is run by Lancashire County Council's museum service on behalf of the National Trust.

To find out more about Gawthorpe Hall and other Lancashire County Council museums visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums