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.
