Six centuries of history

The glorious Long Gallery at Lyme, Cheshire

The severed arm symbol representing Legh family history at Lyme, Cheshrie — Discover the stories behind the family that lived at Lyme for nearly 600 years

Originally a hunting lodge and later transformed into a comfortable family home, Lyme has undergone extensive alterations since the 1400s. Notable architects were employed to transform the house into the magnificent mansion you see today. Come and admire the beautiful façade and interiors of the house for yourself.

The House in winter - conservation work

The house is decorated for the festive session and open Fri-Mon, 11am-3pm through December (plus Christmas Eve). After Christmas, the house will be closed until Saturday 15 February 2020, but meanwhile work continues behind the scenes for our conservation team.

An ornate red antique sofa with gold details

Putting the house to bed - Winter Clean 2019

Since the house closed at the end of the main season on Monday 4 November, the house team and our winter conservation cleaning team of volunteers have been busy working behind closed doors to ‘put the house to bed’.

The Legh family

Lyme is remarkable for having been owned by the same family, the Leghs, for just under 600 years. Find out why good deeds in battle led to them owning the land, and come face to face with Legh ancestry in the house.

Lyme's collection

Here at Lyme we have a large collection ranging from treasured Mortlake tapestries to collars belonging to the family’s beloved mastiff dogs. We also have the finest clock collection in the National Trust as well as one of the most important printed book in the Trust’s vast collection, The Lyme Missal. You can find out more about our collection here.

A man looks down into a display case in Lyme's library

Five Slices of Lyme's History

In 600 years, Lyme has acquired all kinds of unusual objects and strange secrets. If you're visiting the house, here's five things to look out for!

Snap away

We welcome photography at Lyme as we hope you can take away treasured memories from your visit. We just ask that flashes are not used in the house.

The Dressing Room

Have you ever imagined yourself as Lord or Lady of the Regency, channelling your own Elizabeth Bennet in an empire line dress? Visit Lyme’s Wardrobe Department during your visit and then take the air around the courtyard and garden, or enjoy a Regency afternoon tea in the Salting Room and Wyatt Garden. With costumes for visitors of all ages, the whole family can join in.

Our dressing up room is volunteer-run and open certain days - if you would like to volunteer with them, please do see our page here.

Exploring for Families

For little ones coming to see the house, we have front-carrying baby slings or hip-carrying infant seats available to borrow (please ask at the ticket office), with secure buggy storage in the courtyard for a £1 refundable deposit, as well as free lockers to store all those essential items! There are babychanging facilities at the house and Timber Yard, and high chairs available at our food and drink outlets.