Walking trail
Pemberley Walk at Lyme
Follow in the footsteps of Mr Darcy and the BBC film crew. Discover some of the idyllic filming locations from the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Map
Start:
Information Kiosk
1
With the Information Kiosk behind you, follow the main drive to the left, keeping the mill pond on your right and continue over the cattle grid and up the hill. Ignore the turn on your right, continue for a further 150 yards, along the road.
Filming Location
This is the road, along which Elizabeth Bennet and her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, arrived in to the park.
2
Just before the clump of four trees, turn left and follow a grassy track. Passing to the right of a small wood, and make for the wall corner where there are two gates. Go through the right hand gate, followed by a smaller gate in the wire fence on your right and follow this path winding uphill to your right. Soon the path is joined by two more paths, coming in from the right.
Filming Location
This is the path where Mr Darcy arrived in to the park riding his white horse.
3
Continue along this path on the ridge straight ahead, with views opening up to the right. You will shortly arrive at Paddock Cottage. To your right is an impressive view across the Cheshire Plain and Manchester.
Take a few minutes to enjoy the extensive views over the Cheshire Plain and towards Manchester to your right. Can you pick out Manchester Airport, Jodrell Bank or our colleagues at the Alderley Edge?
4
Turn your back on the amazing view and take the path downhill to the left, passing a wooden seat carving of a chase. Ignore the gate on the right and pass through the larger gate to the left, and continue with a wire fence on your left and a wall to your right. Continue for another 200 yards past a gate and a stile on your right until you reach another smaller gate. Go through the gate and you have arrived at ‘Darcy’s pond'.
Filming Location
This pond played host to the most famous scene of the filming of Pride and Prejudice at Lyme. This is where Mr Darcy had his swim. This pond however was only one of three different ponds used to capture the whole scene.
5
Go around the pond to your right and follow the wide grassy path across Drinkwater Meadow. In the distance you can see the Cage sitting prominently on the hill in front of you. The track veers to the right and descends to meet a wide and stony track, coming down from the right just above a gate leading to the main car park, continue through the gate and turn right across the car park and back to the Information Kiosk.
Filming location
Mr Darcy was filmed making his way to the Hall after his swim along this path wearing his famous wet shirt.
6
From the Information Kiosk follow the sloping path that leads you up to Lyme Hall. At the top pause and try to picture a Regency coach coming down the drive bringing Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, to visit Pemberley. Head under the arch and around the outer courtyard to arrive at the house, walk through the archway and into the inner courtyard.
Filming Location
Both the outer and inner courtyards were used during the filming, Mr Darcy met Elizabeth on the steps of the House after he had hurriedly changed from his swim.
7
The next part of the walk will require a garden ticket which you can get in the Ticket Office. Once in the garden, turn right down the steps and follow the path to the left. Take a minute to look down to the Italian Garden on your right.
Filming location
The Italian Garden is where Elizabeth Bennet and Mr and Mrs Gardiner walked on their arrival at Pemberley oblivious to Mr Darcy’s impending arrival.
8
Continue along the path, crossing the bridge and follow the path anti clockwise around the lake. Soon you will glimpse the picture postcard shot that captured the hearts of millions, the iconic view of Lyme as Pemberley as first seen by Elizabeth when she arrived at Pemberley.
9
Continue along the path around the lake, following it up hill. Just before the sets of steps, take the path to your right then turn left to follow the path skirting around the lawn to your right.
Filming location
Along this path is where Elizabeth and Mr and Mrs Gardiner departed from Pemberley in their carriage, watched by Mr Darcy.
10
Head down the steps towards the formal flower beds and follow the path to the right to the Orangery. With your back to the Orangery head down the steps, turning right at the bottom. Finally you will be back at the exit of the garden.
Filming locations
This path opposite the Orangery was used in two shots. Firstly where a very embarrassed Elizabeth met surprised Mr Darcy and then later where they strolled together through the garden.
End:
The garden at Lyme
