Thornbridge: a reinvented country house

In Brief.

The Thornbridge Estate, near Bakewell, hosts a vibrant garden and a distinctive hall that is a historic building, family home and events venue in one. Many will visit for the garden, for which the well established view from the house to the lake boasts a thousand shades of green, and there are several other areas with quite different character. The house can only be visited by tour groups, which is understandable given that it is someone's home (we met one of the owners), and blends period and modern features as a result of extensive renovations.

The hall from the Koi Lake

What's Here?

Thornbridge is a privately owned country house, of recent wider significance as the original site of the Thornbridge Brewery, best known for its Jaipur IPA, which can be sampled at the cafe.  The gardens provide considerable variety, including the trees and bushes that lead from the lake up to the house, lawns with views over rolling hills, a herbaceous border, a scented terrace that lives up to its name and a thriving kitchen garden. There is also a good collection of statues of many styles. These are all well maintained, and worthy of a leisurely stroll around.

A floral statue

Though there has been a house on the site since the 12th century, the current hall is late Victorian, and has served several roles, including as a teacher training college. The current owners have been renovating the hall for over two decades, and the building includes a variety of period features, including a grand stained glass window, interspersed with more modern additions.  These include event spaces for weddings and family spaces such as a modern kitchen; the evolution of the property is described in an interesting guided tour.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 36 miles

Drive Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.

Price: Gardens: $; Tour: $$

Parking: On-site parking.  

Food and Drink: There is a pleasant cafe (with draft Thornbridge Brewery beer) just outside the gardens.

Retail therapy: There is a nursery beside the garden.

Child Friendly: There is a play area for younger children beside the cafe.

Toilets: Yes.

Do it justice in: The gardens: 1 hour; The tour: 1 hour.

Inside-Outside: 50:50 if you take the tour.

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