Donate
Everyone needs nature, now more than ever. Donate today and you could help people and nature to thrive at the places we care for.
Project
Projects at Lyme
From medieval deer park to RAF base, generations have shaped Lyme into the place you see today. Over the next few years, we need to adapt to look after the long-term future of this much-loved place. Find out more about future plans and how you can get involved.
Our purpose
People
Lyme was entrusted to the care of the National Trust by the Legh family for the “health, education, and delight of the people.”
This means placing people at the heart of our decision-making, involving members, volunteers, staff and donors along the way. Without this, we couldn’t care for 1,400 acres of parkland, historic buildings and gardens at Lyme.
Nature
We nurture the health and wellbeing of this place, building resilience into the landscape and ecosystems we care for, for everyone to enjoy.
From the deer herd to birds and butterflies, Lyme is full of life. We will work with others to conserve and restore Lyme’s landscape and champion the importance of nature in our lives today. We will improve Lyme’s habitats by diversifying the current grassland, improving the soil and water quality as well as implementing nature-based solutions to help reduce flood risk. You can read more about how we’re caring for the landscape at Lyme here.
Then, Now, Forever
The National Trust continues as a guardian of the past, and for the future, to uphold its duty to maintain and enhance what has been entrusted to its care. For over 600 years, different generations have shaped Lyme to be the place we see today. Over the coming years, a series of works will help us in our commitment to look after Lyme and to tackle the needs of the 21st century. These works will meet the challenges of a natural environment under pressure, and the expectations of a fast-moving world so that everyone can enjoy nature, beauty, and history for generations come.
What's happening? A new admissions hut proposal
Slider with before and after images
We’re planning to upgrade our admissions hut. These improvements will make admissions more efficient and reduce congestion on busy days.
How will it work?
The new admissions hut will adjust to how busy the day is, so at peak times we’ll have two lanes and up to four ‘welcome windows’ available, to reduce queues.
A new improved road layout will make entry to the park more efficient, and the hut’s natural look and feel will match its surrounding landscape.
In these diagrams, you can see the different ways this will work, along with a fifth option: a ‘pay on exit’ approach
Cyclists and pedestrians will have an easy route through, and a new minibus collection and drop-off point will support those who’d like a lift to the house.
A green building in a natural landscape
The new admissions hut will be in the same place as the current admissions hut to have the least impact on the historic and natural environment while allowing us to improve access for our visitors, tenants, neighbours and local community. We investigated five different locations for our new admissions hut and we found keeping a building here means we don’t need to develop elsewhere along the drive which protects historic views of the House and the Cage. The new building’s simple timber cladding and natural materials will be designed to fit within the landscape, and its photovoltaic panels should help generate the energy it needs with minimal environmental impact.
Supporting green travel
This new admissions hut will ensure that we can give a safe and informed welcome for visitors who come by foot, bike, bus and train. As part of these works, a protected pedestrian zone will create a safer environment for visitors who walk in with onward information about visiting the estate. A new minibus collection and drop off point will improve the experience for those walking in who would like a lift to the house.
Lyme are currently working with partners to incentivise people to visit without a car by offering a 10% discount in the café to those who arrive on bike or by public transport and we'll continue to develop our green travel plans at Lyme.
What’s next?
Planning application
The planning application has now been approved.
What’s happening now?
Before the new admissions hut is built, our team are working hard to find the most efficient and sustainable way to welcome everyone into the park safely.
We’ll be running test days throughout the year, where we'll trial using two welcome windows, an additional entry lane, and 'pay on exit' approaches. This will tell us more about the positive impact that a new admissions hut could have.
During this time, we'll be talking to our visitors, tenants, neighbours and local community, as well as carrying out timing surveys and conducting queue counts.
All of this is designed to both improve your visit in the short term, and to progress the design of an admissions hut - an entrance we hope will provide the warmest and most efficient welcome, however you've travelled here.
What about the car park?
In March 2023 we submitted an application to relocate the visitor car park and restore of a piece of historic parkland. We heard the concerns that have been raised and we’ve been working closely with partners and key stakeholders to address these and demonstrate how the proposals would benefit the long-term future of Lyme and our neighbours. However, in some areas, we have not yet been able to find a solution. As we move focus away from the admissions hut back onto other projects across the property, including rectifying issues with the car park, our first port of call will be to come back out to local neighbours and stakeholders to talk through all the options.
Get in touch
Get in touch to share your views, or ask us anything about the work we do:
- Email us at Lymeprojects@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Write to us at National Trust Lyme, Disley, SK122NR
- Give us a call on 01663 762 023
Together we can shape future plans to protect this historic place and the animals that call it home, while ensuring this special place can be enjoyed by everyone who loves to visit, for ever.
You might be interested in
Article
Our work in the parkland at Lyme
From ongoing conservation work to restoration work brought about by flooding and fires, the work of rangers and volunteers is a round-the-clock job.
Article
Volunteering at Lyme
Many hands make Lyme work – find out about the volunteer and work experience opportunities at Lyme, from rangers to conservationists, retail to building maintenance.
Article
Discover the estate at Lyme
There's over 1,400 acres of historic parkland to explore at Lyme in winter. Discover thriving wildlife during your walk into nature, and seek out the follies for some of the best views over Cheshire.