Lyme Park |
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Lyme Park Hall, set in 1,000 acres of deer park, closely resembles "Pemberley", the home of Mr Darcy in the BBC's drama of the Jane Austen classic, Pride and Prejudice. The estate was actually used for the filming, along with many other dramas.
This hunting estate in Cheshire was acquired by Sir Thomas Danyers way back in 1346. It was passed by marriage to the Legh family where it remained until 1946 when financial expediency required that it be passed to the National Trust after 600 years of family ownership.
The Grade I listed building is the largest stately home in Cheshire. It dates back to the 16th century, but alterations in 1720 by Venetian architect, Giacomo Leoni, gave it
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In the early 19th century further modifications were made to the interior by Lewis Watts and he remodelled every room. He added a "hamper", which was the tower-like addition, on the roof to provide staff accommodation. Following on from Thomas Legh, William Legh, 1st Baron Newton added stables and created the Dutch Garden which can be enjoyed today.
The final owner of the Legh family, after 600 years of occupancy, was Richard, 3rd Baron Newton. He donated Lyme Park in 1946 to the National Trust.
The sandstone building of Lyme Hall has three main floors and is entered through the pillared portico. The hall is built around a courtyard, which has an Italian Renaissance water feature and cloisters on all four sides. The formal gardens were created later, in the late 19th and early 20th century.
A tour of the house will reveal a portrait of the Black Prince who was connected with Lyme Hall. There is a squint, or looking panel, from the hall into the Elizabethan Great Chamber. The Drawing Room deserves a special mention for its medieval stained glass windows. Lyme Hall also has a fine collection of antique clocks.
Other numerous reception rooms and galleries take up the lower two floors. The Grand Staircase has an ornate ceiling and the Saloon contains interesting wood carvings by Master Craftsman, Grinling Gibbons, who also worked on St Paul's Cathedral in
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Lyme Park has some fine Mortlake tapestries, dating back to 1623, and most of the furniture was bought in wealthier times during the late 18th century by the owner, Piers Legh XIII. The library holds one of the most unique treasures - the only surviving copy of the Sarum Missal, published in two colours by William Caxton in 1487.
Lyme Hall has 17 acres of impressive gardens including a Rose Garden and a sunken Dutch Garden, with a pond, fountain and four statues representing the elements of earth, fire, air and water. Look at the floor of the Orangery to see the initials of the 1st Baron Newton, William Legh.
The fig tree on the back wall of this conservatory is 90 years old and the two unidentified species of camellia are 175 years old. The reflecting lake in front of the house had two purposes: one was to make a beautiful outlook from the house, and the second, more practical use, was that a pumphouse was fitted in 1902 to protect the house in case of fire.
Further from the house, the extensive parkland has herds of red and fallow deer with miles of walks and a children's play area. The main structure within Lyme Park estate is the former hunting lodge, known as the Cage, which has recently been renovated. It was used as a watchtower from which the stag hunts could be viewed.
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Opening Times
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(2011 times)
House, garden and Mary Queen of Scots exhibition:26th February - 30th October: 11.00am*--5.00pm Moday and Tuesday and Frday - Suday. 5th November - 31 December: 11.00am - 3.00pm Saturday and Sunday. Restaurant and shop: 26th February - 30th October: 11.00am - 5.00pm Monday and Tuesday and Friday - Sunday. 3rd - 17th December: 11.00am - 4.00pn Saturday and Sunday. Park Open all year 8.00am - 6.00pm Daily. Timber Yard plant sales and shop: 1st January - 20th February: 11.00am - 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday. 26th February - 30th October: 10.30am - 5.00pm Daily Timber Yard coffee shop: Open all year: 11.00am - 4.00pm Daily. Garden: 26th February - 30th October: 11.00am - 5.00pm Daily. Please Note: *Between 11 and 12 entry to house is by guided tour only (numbers restricted). Closed 25 December. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. |
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Admission Charges
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(2011 prices)
Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets):Estate entry: £5.00 per vehicle House and Garden: Adult £9.50 (£8.50); Child £4.75 (£4.15) Family £23.00 (£20.80). House only: Adult £6.25 (£5.60); Child £3.15 (£2.85). Garden only: Adult £6.00 (£5.25); Child £3.00 (£2.70). Coaches £18, Minibuses £8 |
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Directions
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By Bus TrentBarton 199 Buxton-Manchester Airport, to park entrance By Bike View local cycle routes on the National Cycle Network website By road Entrance on A6, 6½ miles south east of Stockport (M60 exit 1), 12 miles north west of Buxton (house and car park 1 mile from entrance) By train Disley, ½ mile from park entrance. National Trust courtesy bus from park admission kiosk to house for pedestrians on days house is open On foot Northern end of Gritstone Trail; paths to Macclesfield Canal, Poynton Marina 1 mile and Peak Forest Canal 2½ miles Ordnance survey reference 109:SJ965825 |
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Lyme Park Postcode for SatNav: SK12 2NR |
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