Disley, near Stockport, Cheshire SK12 2NX
Tel: 01663 762023. Fax: 01663 765035.
Information Line: 01663 766492. Email: mlypjs@smtp.ntrust.org.uk
Lyme Hall is part sixteenth, part seventeenth, and part eighteenth
century and is the largest house in Cheshire. The grandeur of
the interior includes ceiling paintings by Leoni, a substantial
collection of English clocks, priceless Mortlake tapestries, as
well as plaster casts of Greek friezes showing battle scenes,
brought here by Thomas Legh, and Grinling Gibbon's woodcarvings.
Impressive gardens and parkland which hosts red and fallow deer,
as well as a sunken "Dutch" formal garden and lake. The surrounding
parkland is nearly 1400 acres and gives good views of the Pennine
Hills and the Cheshire Plain. The estate has an Orangery built
by Wyatt. Lyme Park was the family home of the Leghs for 600 years,
until it was taken over in 1946 to be owned by the National trust
and part-financed by Stockport Borough Council.
LYME PARK
The surrounding parkland is occupied by herds of free-roaming
deer, in a near perfect ideal setting, whose naturalism is interrupted
only by the long winding road of over a mile up to the hall. The
gardens are designed in the Dutch style, and well worth a stroll
around as they are both bracing and beautiful, overlooked by moorland
at the back which rises to around 1200ft, and which are used by
many hikers and lovers of the country side. Thomas Legh had helped
with the excavation of the temple of Apollo at Bassae where a
frieze was found dating back to 420 BC.
LOCATION
Located at Disley on the A6 about 6 miles SE of Stockport, 9½
miles NW of Buxton. Buses from Stockport Centre and from New Mills
to estate entrance, and direct to the Hall on Sundays. Mainline
train station nearby at Disley (about ½ mile away on foot).
OPENING
(Please check - dates and times may be liable to change)
Park: open daily - check for exact
times.
House: open from the end of March
to end of October, Friday to Tuesday afternoons. Closed Wednesday
and Thursday.
Gardens: Every day from the end
of March to end of October.
The Cage: open afternoons, April
to October on 2nd weekend every month.
Paddock Cottage: Afternoons from
April to October 3rd weekend each month.
ADMISSION
Admission to Parkland free to pedestrians, cars pay to enter (free
to National Trust Members). There is an admission charge to the
Hall & Gardens with discounted Family Tickets per car. Gardens
only at a reduced rate. Please check for current prices which
are always liable to change.
FACILITIES
Refreshments are available, with ample car parking and toilet
facilities.
The Ale Cellar Restaurant: lunches
and snacks available from end of March to end of October - last
serving 2.30pm.
Old Workshop Tea Room: Open from
end of March to end of October daily from and from November to
March on Saturday and Sunday afternoons only.
Car Park Kiosk: ice cream, information
and light refreshments are available at the kiosk.
Gift Shops: the Hall Shop sells
a wide range of gifts and is located in the courtyard at the house.
The Park Shop which is opposite the Old Workshop Tea Room also
sells gifts and National Trust items.
Disabled Visitors: extensive access
for the disabled to parts of the Hall and Gardens is available
- try to give advance notice first. Wheelchairs available. Braille
and large print guides available.
Guided Tours: telephone for details.
Miscellaneous: high chairs available
for infants in tea room. Children's playground. No dogs in house
or garden, but welcomed in parkland if under close control. Extensive
walking possibilities. Lavatories:located at the Old Workshop
Tea Room, at the Ale Cellar Restaurant in the House and in the
Gardens.
