NORTON Priory Museum and Gardens is celebrating 900 years since the foundation of the priory.

A year of special events and activities is being held at the walled garden whilst the museum undergoes an exciting transformation, thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The walled garden opens a month earlier than usual this year on Sunday, March 1.

Visitors can spot daffodils, snowdrops and crocus as days become longer and the weather turns warmer.

Admission to the walled garden will be half price this year and will be open longer, from 10am to 5pm.

There will be a new trail in the garden and a family activity area in the strawbale eco building.

Mother’s Day on Sunday, March 15 will be celebrated with afternoon tea served on the croquet lawn, cupcake decorating and family art activities.

Claire Broadhurst, activity planner, said: “The garden team and volunteers have been working really hard to get the garden ready to open a month early.

“They have been outside in all weathers, ensuring all the plants look their best ready for our visitors, who we look forward to welcoming in our celebration year.”

This year admission will include entry to Halton Castle which will be open every weekend afternoon from Saturday, April 4 until October.

Norton Priory is also celebrating 1100 years of Runcorn with special events at Halton Castle throughout the year.

In May, more than 80 medieval soldiers of the Regia Anglorum group will take on the siege of Halton Castle.

A spectacular event will be held over the bank holiday weekend, from Saturday, May 23 to Monday, May 25.

On Saturday, June 13, you can explore the castle’s links with Magna Carta and find out about life in 1215 by meeting a castle guard and try on a helmet and armour.

The Norton household who will regularly re-enacting different periods of history from the Middle Ages through to the First World War at various weekends at the Castle throughout the year.

Museum director Frank Hargrave said: “2015 is an incredible year for us with the fantastic HLF funded redevelopment project at the museum.

“However, while the museum’s closed we’re keen to make the most of our other wonderful features here.

"The stunning walled garden and the Castle which, together with an exciting events programme will mean we won’t be quiet for our 900th anniversary.”

The museum and ruins at Norton Priory will be closed until 2016 but there will be opportunities for guided tours around the grounds and to see the HLF funded redevelopment project as it progresses.

The museum is scheduled to re-open in August 2016.

Visit nortonpriory.org for more details.