Dalemain Historic House & Gardens

Dalemain is a fine mixture of medieval, Tudor and early Georgian architecture. The imposing Georgian façade strikes the visitor immediately but in the cobbled courtyard the atmosphere of the north country Tudor manor is secure. The present owner's family have lived at Dalemain since 1679 and have collected china, furniture and family portraits. Visitors can see the grand Drawing Rooms with 18thC panelling, also the Nursery and Housekeeper's Room. The Norman pele tower contains the regimental collection of the Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry. The house is full of the paraphernalia of a well-established family house which is still very much lived in by the family.

The gardens at Dalemain are constantly changing. Not only because of the seasons, which bring special plants: snowdrops in winter, blue poppies in spring, roses in summer and apples in autumn but also due to new additions which bring new shapes and colours and variety to the garden.

Last year, there was a stunning wild flower spiral and a sleeping giantess earth sculpture both projects developed by University of Cumbria Horticulture students on an on-going partnership at Dalemain.

This year, Jane Hasell-McCosh, owner of Dalemain has joined forces with Head Gardener, Rose Harper and a team from the University of Cumbria's Horticulture Department, headed by Shelagh Todd to create a stumpery.

'A stumpery is similar to a rockery but made with parts of dead trees', says Shelagh. 'They are normally planted with woodland plants and are great for wildlife.'

Other examples of stumperies include the famous Biddulph Grange Garden in Staffordshire and Highgrove, in Gloucestershire.

The Stumps used are from 200-year-old oaks which lined the avenue on the ancient estate road between Dalemain and Dacre which is still a much-loved route for walkers.

key

Prices

Adult £6, Accompanied children free.

Opening details

Nearby

Local Accommodation