Lyme Park — Best Lord And Lady Of The Manor Photo Op - Beyond Downton Abbey: A Guide to 25 Great Houses - page 12

As the location where Darcy meets Elizabeth in the 1995 film version of Pride and Preju-
dice , some argue that Lyme Park is one of the most famous country house images in Eng-
land. Dramatically nestled at the edge of the sweeping moors of the Peak District, the wild
remoteness and beauty contrast with the grandness that is Lyme Park. With or without
famous film credits, Lyme Park is a romantic classic in its own right — from the herds of
grazing ancient red deer to the formal Edwardian garden, to the coziest spot by the fire-
place in the Library.
Not so long ago, touring historic British properties was a look-don't-touch experience.
Happily, there's change afoot. More and more manor homes are encouraging visitors to
become part of the story with living history and participatory opportunities. In below
stairs kitchens, cooks dressed in period clothing are baking pies, butlers are polishing sil-
ver, and kitchen maids are washing up. Upstairs, housemaids are dusting, and the Earl
might pass through with his newspaper. Outside, a chauffeur washes an Edwardian-era
automobile.
At Lyme Park, visitors have even more opportunities. Themed events throughout the year
provide participants the freedom to explore in a more hands-on manner. Lyme, the End of
an Era invites visitors to discover life in this magnificent house with its lavishly furnished
Edwardian interiors when Lyme was at its apogee. Event participants may play the piano,
take part in a theatrical, read a book in the library, dress up in period clothing, take the
children to play in the nursery bedroom, and have tea on the lawn. Lyme Park is also of-
fering Edwardian apprentice activities throughout the year.
Who built it…who owns it
The estate was granted to Sir Thomas Danyers in 1346, and passed to the Legh family of
Lyme in 1388. Venetian architect Giacomo Leoni made modifications in the 1720s, and in
the 19 th century Lewis Watt worked primarily on the mansion's interiors. The formal gar-
dens were created in the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries. Remarkably, the Legh family
owned Lyme for 558 years until the estate was given to the National Trust in 1946.
Style notes
Original Tudor structure transformed in the 18 th century into a huge Italianate palace with
elements of Palladian and Baroque styles.