Paulo Costaferrata's Qype reviews
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disley, Stockport, Greater Manchester SK12 2NX
Paulo Costaferrata
wrote on 29 May 2008
It seems to take an hour just to reach the car park once you enter the ground just off the A6 in Disley. They sure knew how to build driveways in them olden days…
This is a lovely, serene park with only a small hint of commerce in the old cottage buildings within the timber yard. So all you really need here is a well designed picnic (I find a dash of Merlot or real coffee in a flask can lift all but the most mundane picnic set ups). There is fairly large lake you can park your behinds after a long walk (and with a steep hill to navigate your legs will write you a blank cheque) and it’s the perfect spot to take out your outdoor fun snacks (not a euphemism).
There are many walks and facilities to cycle around the park (If I can work out how to attach a bike clamp to the car I may cycle around here this summer) and the views are absolutely superb (aside from the views of Manchester and Liverpool if you’re lucky you have views over Cheshire and Derbyshire…and quite possibly other counties too).Thankfully (and essential if you have kids with you) there is a thoughtfully designed play area - three separate area’s in fact all built within the natural surrounds of the park (hidden almost). The regimental climbing frames, funny shaped rope thingeys, swings and slides are all there. This can easily kill an hour and also ensures the kids are worn out should you wish to have the kids in bed early.
I didn’t have time to see the gardens (as we also took in the house) but as it’s only thirty minutes down the road from South Manchester I’ll be back again very soon.
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Disley, Stockport, Greater Manchester SK12 2NR
Paulo Costaferrata
wrote on 29 May 2008
Lyme Hall is placed within the huge Lyme Park, just outside Disley and just falls within the boundaries of Greater Manchester and in fact has a direct train line to Piccadilly Station. I’m reviewing the hall separately from the gardens as their simply too much to see on one visit.
Once you’ve parked up in the gardens you’ll soon find a fairly steep incline towards the house itself (up some rather large steps set in the grass). The house is perched up atop a hill and the views are incredible. A short distance away from the house lies the ‘cage’ and old hunting tower recently restored - it’s said on a good day not only can you see the city of Manchester but also Liverpool Cathedral. Although a gorgeous day on our last visit we couldn’t quite see that far. However, Manchester was clear to see - the 47 storey Beetham tower helping in that respect. I was quite odd looking at the city from this highpoint: it was almost as if the entire population had left the city so quiet and eery was the experience (you can barely hear a thing on top of the hill near said cage).Back to the house…you enter via a lovely courtyard - this is predominantly Elizabethan although a few hundred years after it’s conception is was redesigned by an Italian architect to resemble a so called ‘Palazzo’ (Palace).
Over the years the rooms of the house were redesigned. For me this is one of the most complete houses I’ve seen at a National Trust property. I have a particular aversion to Victorian interiors (I really don’t like the look of those ghastly Victorian dolls!) so thankfully many of the rooms hark back to an earlier age.
I was quite taken with the leisure room, it’s wooden carvings are surreal. There is also a kind of living room which contains greek marble sculptures (saved from destruction as walk on gravestones in Greece) which adorn the wall, with ceilings go intricate they almost bring a tear to the old ‘mince pie’.I sometimes find the NT ladies and gentlemen who ‘guard’ the rooms a little cold and despotic, but in Lyme Hall they are the most welcoming and informative folk you could ever wish to meet despite their upper class mouth movements. I spent at least thirty minutes chatting to one lady about the meaning of such ornate bedrooms!
It was simply too much to see in one day so it’s a case of going back time and time again, but with the park below and some creative picnicking you’ve got yourself a fine Sunday out.
Paulo Costaferrata It is indeed Netty! I forgot to mention they have summer concerts here - I presume mostly classical music events but it’s worth checking out.
29 May 2008
Netty I think they filmed a Jane Austen film here, too - ot Lyme Hall has something to do with Jane Austen but I cannot remember.
30 May 2008