We're travelling to the Peak District to visit a very special place owned by the National Trust. After leaving Emma Bridgewater we travelled to Lyme Park on a series of A roads (similar to US highways but not always four lanes) and some M roads (like US interstates). Again all we had to do was to go to the GPS and select Lyme Park. Travelling along we passed lovely vistas. The afternoon skies are now turning blue!
Upon arriving at the entrance we drove the long winding drive up to the car park. We passed this interesting looking structure as we ascended the hill.
We later learned this was used as a hunting lodge and later as a jail for poachers. Continuing up to the mansion we see the lovely Lyme Hall.
Lyme Park was the country home of kings and aristocracy. The estate was granted to Sir Thomas Danyer in 1346 and passed to the Leghs of Lyme by marriage in 1388. It remained in the possession of the Legh family until 1946 when it was given to the National Trust.
The large estate lies in Cheshire in the Peak District. The 1300 acre estate is quite impressive. They do not allow photographs inside as many of the furnishings are on loan from local families. The home is filled with treasures from the Edwardian era, Lyme's Golden Era! The Peak District is stunning and a beautiful setting for Lyme Park.
We entered the home's interior through the center courtyard.
After viewing the interior we wanted to see the gardens and view the home's exterior from different angles. Let's take a look.
Lyme Hall was used as Pemberly in the BBC production of "Pride and Prejudice". It's where Mr. Darcy met Miss Bennett.
The sunken garden above is the Italian Garden (originally laid out as a Dutch garden). It was created by William Legh and is obviously filled with formal flower beds and a central fountain. This garden is amazing! There are four cherub statues featuring earth, fire, air and water.
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| Orangery |
Before leaving Lyme Hall we decided to visit their tearoom and have some refreshment. All of the National Trust places that we visited had lovely tearooms. It's one more way you can support their efforts to keep up their wonderful properties. We were told if it were not for the National Trust most of the properties we visited would have fallen into ruin.
Driving down the winding driveway we spotted a small herd of red deer.
Lyme Park is a lovely place to visit. I can see why many families in the area come here to enjoy the lovely surroundings.
Here is a map of Lyme Park to give you an idea of its size.
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| Entrance Tickets |
The pamphlet above shows the actual front view of Lyme Hall.
Absolutely gorgeous! You must have walked a lot! Lyme Hall looks beautifully and lovingly cared for...the grounds are immaculate and the garden...amazing. It's okay to share your teas or are you one who, like me, feels foolish to photograph her plate.
ReplyDeleteVee, we did do a lot of walking in Lyme Park. Mostly through the gardens and around the home. Lyme Park is huge and we did not walk the entire grounds.
DeleteI'll be sure to show some of our food--I believe I did photograph some of the more memorable. ♥
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Lovely tour, Martha Ellen! Were those tags your "ticket" in that you wore during the tour? Fancy! Was that the pond Colin Firth is famous for walking out of, dripping wet? :-)
ReplyDeleteCathy, these were the tickets we wore during our visit to Lyme Park. I think they were trying to keep the air of the "Golden Era". Yes, that was the pond that Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) walked out of. I could just picture this scene as we wandered about the garden. ♥
DeleteAmazing building and beautiful surroundings!! Another wonderful stop on your well-planned tour! Pausing for tea not only provided you with refreshment (and charm, too, I imagine), but it was a way to support the keeping of these fabulous historical places. Win-win!
ReplyDeleteCheryl, the architecture of Lyme Hall was amazing. England is a treasure trove of lovely scenery and buildings. ♥
DeleteWhat a gorgeous place, inside and out! Truly enchanting! Whenever I visit a historic home or castle, I love to peek out through each window for views of the gardens through the old glass panes. I can't help it! Thanks so much for taking us on a walk through the lovely gardens at Lyme Park. I just love traveling with you, Martha Ellen! ♡
ReplyDeleteDawn, it is so beautiful at Lyme Park! You would have loved the gardens. I think we think alike on the photography through the windows. You will see me doing that a lot in places it was allowed. I'm so glad you are with me on our travels! ♥
DeleteIt a shame you could not take photo's of the inside, most houses you can but there are a few you can not. I loved you visit, it's been years since I went to Lyme Hall, I was a child.
ReplyDeleteWonder what day three will hold.
Fondly Michelle
Michelle, it was disappointing photography was not allowed inside. It was quite dark in most of the rooms, but oh so lovely. You must plan a visit to take your family there. The grounds are just beautiful as you might remember.
DeleteDay three is my favorite, I think. How can I pick a favorite? ♥
Is it Hilltop?
DeleteHilltop is one of my favourite places to go, I could love in.
Fondly Michelle
Michelle, it is Hilltop! I get emotional just thinking about it. ♥
DeleteIs Orangery a wing or a separate building? I used to drive along a lake in Wisconsin where you could see the BACK of paper baron's homes. I liked all the windows and the stone wall which lead to a lower lawn much like this picture. I gave up on that kind of backyard long ago!
ReplyDeleteThe Orangery is a separate building that basically is a very large greenhouse. Originally they grew oranges there.
DeleteYes these mansions are for the very wealthy. I can't imagine living in one of them. ♥
A "Pemberly" Dwelling.., the cast of servants must have been enormous. I am a great admirer of the National Trust. One of my favorite personality's is Lucy Worsley. I have watched her videos on the Trust properties dozens of times. It really must be an incredible experience to be there in person. I think I like the Orangery as much as the Lyme Park Main dwelling. So, how was the driving going at this point in your trip?
ReplyDeleteJeri, I feel the same about the National Trust. They are an incredible organization that has saved so many places for future generations to enjoy. On this trip we basically visited their properties.
DeleteThe driving is going okay at this point. The drivers in England are very polite and adhere to the speed limit. That certainly helped us to feel more comfortable. ♥
Those are such amazing places. What fun to visit the site of P&P!! Our town roads are even wider than their A roads and I don't think they have shoulders on their roads. :-) I even like the last photo, and wonder if you hang onto England ephemera like I do. :-) Love these posts. Trying to catch up.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I do hang onto way too much. I try not to, but can't help myself! Glad to have a fellow England lover coming along ! Let's go back! ♥
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