DAYS OUT - ORDSALL HALL MUSEUM, Salford

A SPINECHILLING welcome awaits at Ordsall Hall Museum -- and it's hardly surprising, as it dates back more than 820 years and is steeped in history.

The hall has been put to many uses, including a family home, working men's club and church hall. Some claim its walls echoed with treacherous murmurings, alleging Guy Fawkes and Robert Catesby used it as a meeting place to hatch the Gunpowder Plot in which they planned to overthrow King James.

And visitors may have a vision of the resident ghost, considered by some to be Margaret Radclyffe, favourite maid of honour of Queen Elizabeth, who died from a broken heart in 1599.

The Radclyffe family occupied the hall for more than 300 years, but its latest owner is the City of Salford.

The hall was acquired by the Salford Corporation in 1959 and opened in 1972 as a period house and local history museum. The name Ordsall has its origins in old English, being formed from the personal name Ord and the word "halh", meaning a corner or nook, which has become the modern dialect word "haugh". The name first appeared in print in 1177 when Ordeshala paid two marks towards the "aid", a feudal due or tax. But in the 21st century staff pull out all the stops to make sure you have a fun and educational time.

On the first Sunday of every month there is a chance to enjoy all things Tudor, with staff in Elizabethan costume helping to make pomanders and showing how to use quill pens.

The next event is on Sunday, February 3 (1-4pm) and as well as the chance to try on armour you can meet Harry the hawk.

There's more fun to be had until Sunday, March 10, with an exhibition called Digging up the Past.

It's a fun introduction to archaeology, exploring homes and lifestyles throughout the ages. If you want to find out more, there is an excellent website packed with detail. FACT FILE

ADDRESS: Ordsall Hall Museum, Ordsall Lane, Ordsall, Salford M5 3AN

CONTACT: 0161 872 0251

WEBSITE: www.ordsallhall.org

OPENING TIMES: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, Sunday 1-4pm (closed Saturdays)

ADMISSION: Free

FIND IT: Located near Salford Quays. Signposted from most major roads in the area and less than a mile from the end of the M602 motorway

PARKING: Car parking available in the grounds