- Heritage

Sutton Park

The Yorkshire home of Sir Reginald and Lady Sheffield. Early Georgian architecture. Magnificent plasterwork by Cortese. Rich collection of 18th century furniture, paintings and porcelain, put together with great style to make a most inviting house. Award winning gardens attract enthusiasts from home and abroad. Yorkshire in Bloom Award 2008…

Adlington Hall

Adlington Hall, the home of the Leghs of Adlington from 1315 to the present day, was built on the site of a Hunting Lodge which stood in the Forest of Macclesfield in 1040. Two oaks, part of the original building, remain with their roots in the ground and support the east end of the Great Hall, which was built between 1480 and 1505. The Hall is a manor house, quadrangular in shape, and was once surrounded by a moat. Two sides of the Courtyard and the east wing were built in the typical ‘Black and White’ Cheshire style in 1581. The south front and west wing (containing the Drawing Room and Dining Room) were added between 1749 and 1757 and are built of red brick with a handsome stone portico with four Ionic columns on octagonal pedestals. Between the trees in the Great Hall stands an organ built by ‘Father’ Bernard Smith (c1670-80). Handel subsequently played on this instrument and, now fully restored, it is the largest 17th century organ in the country. Gardens The Gardens have been laid out over many centuries. A lime walk planted in 1688 leads to a Regency rockery that surrounds the unique Shell Cottage. The Wilderness, a Rococo styled landscape garden of the Georgian period contains many follies such as the chinoserie T’Ing House, Pagoda bridge and a classical Temple to Diana. Newly created formal gardens around the house include an old fashioned rose garden yew maze and a flower parterre and water garden…

Arley Hall & Gardens

Owned by the same family for over 500 years, Arley is a delightful estate. The award-winning gardens, recently voted in the top 50 in Europe and in Britain’s top 10, have been created gradually over 250 years with each generation of the family making its own contribution. The result is a garden of great atmosphere, interest and vitality, which blends strong elements of design from earlier centuries with modern ideas in both planting and design. Arley is, therefore, a wonderful example of the idea that the best gardens are living, changing works of art. Outstanding features are the renowned double herbaceous border (c1846), the Quercus Ilex and pleached Lime Avenues, Victorian Rootree, walled gardens, yew hedges and shrub rose collection. The family tradition continues today with the current Viscount Ashbrook, who over the last 30 years has created the less formal Grove and Woodland Walk, where 300 varieties of rhododendron grow amongst a collection of rare trees and shrubs in a delightful tranquil setting. One of Cheshire’s most charming stately homes, the Hall (Grade II*) was built by the present Viscount Ashbrook’s great, great grandfather, Rowland Egerton-Warburton between 1832 and 1885 and is a fine example of the Victorian Jacobean style. Each room is given its own individual character by the elaborate plasterwork, wood panelling, family portraits and porcelain. From the grandeur of the Gallery to the intimacy of the Library the Hall exudes charm. The Emperor’s Room was even home to Prince Louis Napoleon, later Napoleon III of France, in the winter of 1847-48. Arley won the title of 2009 ‘Small Visitor Atraction of the Year’ in the North West and with its new, purpose built conference facility ‘Olympia’ is also a wonderful, exclusive venue for weddings, corporate functions and private parties…

Capesthorne Hall

Capesthorne Hall, set in 100 acres of picturesque Cheshire parkland, has been touched by nearly 1,000 years of English history - Roman legions passed across it, titled Norman families hunted on it and, during the Civil War, a Royalist ancestress helped Charles II to escape after the Battle of Worcester. The Jacobean-style Hall has a fascinating collection of fine art, marble sculptures, furniture and tapestries. Originally designed by the Smiths of Warwick it was built between 1719 and 1732. It was altered by Blore in 1837 and partially rebuilt by Salvin in 1861 following a disastrous fire. The present Squire is William Bromley-Davenport, Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, whose ancestors have owned the estate since Domesday times when they were appointed custodians of the Royal Forest of Macclesfield. In the grounds near the family Chapel the 18th century Italian Milanese Gates open onto the herbaceous borders and maples which line the beautiful lakeside gardens. But amid the natural spectacle and woodland walks, Capesthorne still offers glimpses of its man-made past … the remains of the Ice House, the Old Boat House and the curious Swallow Hole. Facilities at the Hall can be hired for corporate occasions and family celebrations including Civil Wedding ceremonies…

Holker Hall & Gardens

Holker is the family home of Lord and Lady Cavendish, who extend a warm welcome to visitors of all ages. This beautiful historic house, surrounded by formal and woodland gardens and gently undulating deer park, is perfectly situated between the Lakeland hills and the expanse of Morecambe Bay. The hall itself is a magnificent Victorian Mansion in the neo-Elizabethan gothic style. Although largely rebuilt in the 1870’s following a disastrous fire, its origins date back to the early 1600’s. Steeped in history, it contains superb examples of local craftsmanship, fine art and furnishings. The absence of ropes or barriers allows true visitor engagement and a refreshing feeling of freedom and warmth. The gardens offer a wonderful sensory experience. They are a living reflection of the imagination and care of the owners and gardeners who have tended them over the centuries. Highlights and unique features include the National Collection of Styracaceae, exquisitely sculptured yew and box hedging, ancient trees, glades of rhododendrons, the mystical labyrinth, the slate sundial, the stunning cascade water feature, and the 400 year old Great Holker Lime. The inspirational planting schemes provide beauty and interest throughout the seasons. Holker’s Courtyard Cafe serves delicious homemade food, sourced from the Holker Estate and the local area. The food hall stocks estate produce and the best from Lakeland producers, as well as fine foods and gifts from further afield. The gift shop offers an array of lovely and unusual items, and plants from local nurseries including Holker’s own…

Levens Hall

Levens Hall is an Elizabethan mansion built around a 13th century pele tower. The much loved home of the Bagot family, with fine panelling, plasterwork, Cordova leather wall coverings, paintings by Rubens, Lely and Cuyp, the earliest English patchwork and Wellingtoniana combine with other beautiful objects to form a fascinating collection. The world famous Topiary Gardens were laid out by Monsieur Beaumont from 1694 and his design has remained largely unchanged to this day. Over 90 individual pieces of topiary, some over nine metres high, massive beech hedges and colourful seasonal bedding provide a magnificent visual impact…

Muncaster Castle Gardens & Owl Centre

Historic Haunted Castle, 70 acres of stunning Gardens set against the back drop of the Lake District fells, and home to the World Owl Centre with over 200 of these amazing birds. Award winning Muncaster has something for everyone, throughout the year…

Dalemain

Dalemain is a fine mixture of medieval, Tudor and early Georgian architecture. The imposing Georgian facade strikes the visitor immediately but in the cobbled courtyard the atmosphere of the north country Tudor manor is secure. The 12th Century Norman Pele Tower is the oldest part of Dalemain. The manor house has evolved through the centuries and the early Georgian pink ashlar facade completed in 1744 was the last significant addition. The present owner’s family have lived at Dalemain since 1679 and have collected a wide variety of china, furniture and family portraits. Don’t miss Mrs Mouse’s House on the back stairs! The Gardens have developed during the passing generations of owners and are for all to enjoy. There are 5 acres of richly planted herbaceous borders with and intriguing and unusual combination of flowers set against the picturesque splendour of the Lakeland Fells and Parkland. Highlights are the Rose Walk with over 100 old-fashioned roses and ancient apple trees of named varieties, magnificent Abies Cephalonica and Tulip Tree. Tudor Knot Garden. Wild Garden with a profusion of flowering shrubs and wild flowers and in early summer the breathtaking display of blue Himalayan Poppies. Giantess Earth Sculpture and newly developed Stumpery in Lobs’s Wood, a woodland garden. Jane Hasell-McCosh is the founder of The World’s Original Marmalade Festival which is held in February each year and hosts the prize giving for Competitions for Amateur and Artisan Marmalade Makers.…

Hutton-in-the-Forest

The home of Lord Inglewood’s family since 1605. Built around a medieval pele tower with 17th, 18th and 19th century additions. Fine collections of furniture, paintings, ceramics and tapestries. Outstanding grounds with terraces, topiary, walled garden, dovecote and woodland walk through magnificent specimen trees…

Mirehouse

Melvyn Bragg described Mirehouse as ‘Manor from Heaven’. Simon Jenkins in The Times said ‘It is the Lake District with its hand on its heart’. Literary house linked with Tennyson and Wordsworth. Live piano music and children’s history trail in house. Natural playgrounds, serene bee garden and lakeside walk…