We recently visited Lyme Park in Stockport, Cheshire, UK. According to the onsite volunteer guides, the Legh family first came into possession of Lyme Park in the 14th century when it was given to Margaret Legh by her father Sir Thomas Danyers. Since then it has undergone many alterations and is now owned by the National Trust.
The surrounding park is open to the public free of charge, but you have to pay for parking. For non-National Trust members, the House, Park and Garden Ticket for an adult would cost £18.70. As we are National Trust members, entry to everything was free. Visitors are allowed to walk around the grounds with their dogs but they must be kept on the lead as there is deer in the park.
As it was raining on this visit we decided to concentrate on visiting the house.
Inside the house the rooms were beautiful and dramatic. For film and tv buffs, the house was used for the Mr Darcey's fictional home, "Pemberley" in the 1995 "Pride and Prejudice" tv show starring Colin Firth.
One of the interesting features of Lyme Park is the tapestries in its staterooms. As with all National Trust properties there is an impressive collection of art and furniture along with the tapestries.
My favourite room was probably the dining room as it was very elegant.
To get a feel of what is was like in the past, visitors can even get dressed up in costume and walk around the house and courtyard.
If you want some refreshments, one of the cafés is actually underneath the house situated in the old ale cellars and is aptly called the ‘Ale Cellar Café’.
Overall, the house and the well maintained grounds and gardens are well worth a visit. It was perfect for a rainy day.
