Liverpool's Speke Hall is set to battle it out with some of the UK's most historic buildings in a new version of the popular Top Trumps game.
The South Liverpool attraction is one of 30 National Trust historic buildings going head-to-head over acreage, film and TV appearances, hauntings and cups of tea consumed.
The game follows the successful National Trust Monopoly launched last year which gave people the chance to buy up their favourite places and develop visitor centres and holiday cottages.
Among those participating in the game are the 18th century hexadecagon house A La Ronde in Devon, Chedworth Roman villa (Gloucestershire) and Belfast’s Crown bar, as well as the more stately Chirk Castle (Wrexham) and Basildon Park (Berkshire).
Alan Parris – buyer for the National Trust - who masterminded the Trust version of the game, explained: "The 30 properties were selected to show the great variety of the historic places looked after by the Trust. Games are a fun way of engaging people in what we do – but, better still, people also have the chance to visit and see for themselves.
"The game’s size makes it perfect for kids as they travel, so could be ideal for the start of the holidays, but I am sure some grown ups will be keen to get hold of it too."
And according to the statistics on the cards the Speke Hall Estate scores highest for hauntings, which has shocked Simon Osborne, property manager at Speke.
He said: "It’s amazing that we score 120 with hauntings – the highest number out of all the other properties – and we also deliver nearly 20,000 cups of tea!
"We hope the game will encourage people to come and visit Speke this summer and get to know a bit more about this ancient and special estate.
"It’s a great place to chill out on a summer’s day. We recently opened a new fun family Play Barn, and of course we have our traditional family play area and lots of space to run around in – as well as costumed guided tours, woodland trails and our Home Farm restaurant which offers a delicious selection of hot food, sandwiches and cakes. So there’s more to us than ghosts and cups of tea.”
The National Trust game is available in Trust shops and online at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shop.
Buildings include the 18th century hexadecagon house A La Ronde in Devon, Chedworth Roman villa (Gloucestershire) and Belfast’s Crown bar, as well as the more stately Chirk Castle (Wrexham) and Basildon Park (Berkshire). Sales of the game helps support the Trust’s charitable work.
Speke Hall, garden and estate is open Weds – Sun, 11am – 5pm. The grounds and Home Farm Restaurant and shop are also open on Tuesdays from 11am. For details call the info line on 0844 800 4799 or e-mail spekehall@nationaltrust.org.uk.
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