Discover more at Lyme Park
Find out when Lyme Park is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.
Explore the garden at Lyme
The historic garden at Lyme offers variation throughout the seasons so it’s always a good time to visit. Nestled on the edge of the Peak District, the garden provides a carefully cultivated contrast to the rugged and wild moorland beyond its confines.
A garden for all seasons
Visiting the garden at Lyme is an ever changing experience and no two visits are the same. Under the care of Head Gardener Stefan with the garden team, the garden transforms seasonally. Whether you witness the striking orange leaves of autumn or the bright colourful blooms of spring, there is plenty to discover. Lyme's garden is the second highest in the National Trust which means flowers often bloom later and last longer at Lyme.
Explore the garden in autumn
Autumn Watch in Vicary Gibbs
The trees in Lyme's gardens really come into their own once autumn sets in. The Vicary Gibbs area contains several exotic trees brought to Lyme by famed horticulturist Vicary Gibbs in the early 1900s. Look out for fiery reds from the dogwood tree (cornus kousa), as well as the flowering cherry.
Close to the Italian garden, the leaves of the spindle trees will start to turn a distinctive shade of pink as the season progresses.
Late flowering interest
As the second highest garden in the National Trust flowers bloom later and last longer at Lyme which means there's plenty late summer and early autumn interest in the garden.
Italian Garden
Designed to be viewed from above, the Italian Garden took its present form from the 1st Lord Newton. The Irish ivy and edging box offers visual interest in Autumn, often maintaining colour until late September early October.
Storm border
The recently created the Storm border has weathered its first summer and the foilage here will create interest until the early Autumn. So called, as the inspiration for the border design came from Britain's tempestuous skies with contrasting greys, silvers and purple foilage to evoke the anguish of thunderous cloud which - a familiar sight at this time of year. You'll find plenty of contrasting texture here some leaves are bold and strong, some velvetly soft and demure, some scalloped, while others are prickly with silver veins. Favourites to look out for are Knautica macedonica ‘Thunder and Lightning’ which has variegated leaves – green edged with a cream – and wine coloured flowers like pin-cushions and Polemonium ‘Bressingham Purple’ – a Jacob’s ladder which has a more intense blue dark foliage, almost black when young.
Herbaceous borders
Past the Rose Garden are double borders containing perennial plants and shrubbery offering lots of late flowering interest until late September. Developed in the 1920s by the 3rd Lady Newton, todays scheme incorporates some of her original plants.
Family fun in the garden
Follow the winding paths to dicover what's growing in the garden this season. There are lots of buggy-friendly paths in the garden – ask at the Ticket Office for more information.
'50 things to do before you're 11 3/4'
You can complete many of the '50 things' in the garden at Lyme. Here's some of our favourites -
- No. 1 - Get to know a tree - head to the Top Lawn to find your favourite tree. Which one has the best shape?
- No. 6 - Go welly wandering - pull on your wellington boots and explore. Splash around in puddles, squelch through some mud.
- No. 15 - Eat a picnic in the wild - before you set off, it’s time to raid the fridge. It’s amazing what you can create with just a few ingredients. Sandwiches, salads, pasta and fruit all make for a tasty lunch – and they’re easy to carry too.
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A family-friendly day out at Lyme
From running, skipping and jumping around Crow Wood play area and dressing up in period costume inside the house, to spotting red deer in the park, there’s something for everyone at Lyme.
Visiting the house at Lyme
Inside the house you can discover unusual objects and strange secrets from six centuries of family history at Lyme in Cheshire.
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.
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.
Eating, drinking and shopping at Lyme
Feeling peckish during your visit to Lyme? There's a choice of eateries, each serving a wide range of snacks and drinks. After you've refuelled, head to the shops to browse for a special gift or souvenir.
Gardening tips
Discover our gardeners’ top tips so you can make the most of your garden, plot or window box.
Gardens and parks
From 18th-century water gardens and Arts and Crafts landscapes to intimate woodland gardens, there are so many places to discover.
Gardens and parks in Cheshire and Greater Manchester
From the glorious garden at Dunham Massey to the industrial garden landscape at Quarry Bank, this corner of the North West is full of red, orange and yellow shades through autumn.
