Lyme Country House and Gardens

In Brief.

Lyme is a country house in extensive grounds, operated by the National Trust. The house has a long history, evolving through 600 years (!) of ownership by the same family; as a result the interior reflects different periods and contains a rich collection of historical artefacts and curiosities. The house backs onto manicured gardens that include a lake and an orangery, and is surrounded by much less tamed parkland for more energetic walks. Lyme obtained national visibility in the '90s as Pemberley in a widely watched BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

The Georgian rear of the house from the garden.

What's Here?

Lyme is large and diverse enough to accommodate a variety of different visits. Families can head from the carpark to the adventure playground, explore the adjacent woodland or make dens, and round off the visit with a sandwich or ice cream from the Timber Yard, all without going anywhere near the house or gardens.

Up a hill from the carpark, the gardens are accessed through the courtyard of the house, and include the lake with fine views of the house, a rhododendron walk, and an assortment of formal gardens.  These in turn feature a large walled Italian garden, which is best viewed from above, a rose garden, and assorted terraces near to the Orangery. 

The terraces in front of the orangery. 

While the gardens support some civilised meandering, the wider parkland allows more in the way of fresh air and exercise, whether visiting The Cage, an incongruous building visible on route to the carpark, or heading to the south of the house where there are extensive wooded areas and moorland. 

While the grounds are likely central to most itineraries, the house itself is something of a treasure trove.  The  land is said to have been given as reward for rescuing the Black Prince's standard in battle 1346, and then remained in the same family until 1946 when it was donated to the National Trust.  The original Elizabethan house was built in the 1570s, and extended and restyled in the 1720s, and is worth a visit. The house includes impressive spaces, fine carving, a diverse collection of portraits of the various family figures that shaped the house, and a substantial collection of clocks.  There are information sheets in each room and, like many National Trust houses, a colourful and informative guide is available for £5; the history and artefacts benefit from a bit of context.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 17 miles

Drive Time: 50 minutes.

Price: $ (Park and Gardens) $$ (with the house)

Parking: Onsite parking is included.

Food and Drink: There are two cafes, one in the (windowless) former Ale Cellar in the main house and one with extensive outdoor seating in the Timber Yard.  It is a truth universally acknowledged that National Trust scones are better than their sandwiches, so come early.

Retail therapy: There is a pleasant gift shop in the house, and a further outlet that includes plants in the Timber Yard.

Child Friendly: There is an substantial adventure play area near the Timber Yard, near to which there are also picnic tables.

Toilets: Yes.

Do it justice in: 3 hours (house and gardens), but longer if also exploring the wider parkland.

Inside-Outside: 40:60

References.

Lyme Guidebook, Susie Stubbs, The National Trust, 2018.

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