I took a trip to Dunham Massey recently and I had a great day exploring the grounds and buildings. Dunham Massey is a National Trust property in Altrincham in the North West of England.
It is a large country house estate that was actually used as a military hospital in the First World War, as well as being the home to the 7th Earl of Stamford from 1845. The current exhibition is entitled ‘The Lost Years’ and details the love between the 7th Earl of Stamford and his wife Catharine. Catharine was shunned by the Cheshire community as she was seen as an unconventional and unacceptable wife, and her exclusion from the community eventually led to the Earl and Catharine abandoning Dunham Massey.
If you are planning to visit a few National Trust properties, then you will likely save money by buying a National Trust annual membership that can be used at over 500 National Trust properties throughout the UK.
You can buy a National Trust membership online or join up in person at a National Trust property. Membership starts from £63 for an individual and £105 for joint membership.
As you walk up to the property from the car park you are greeted by a large lake that wraps around the front and side of the hall. We passed many ducks and geese both asleep on the banks, and swimming on the lake. There was also a squirrel playing along the path and running up and down a nearby tree.
As we walked down the wide gravel path at the front of the house, the resident deer came into view. It was a hot day and the deer were being irritated by flies so their little white tails seemed to almost constantly be flickering from side to side. The deer are used to visitors so you can get pretty close to them, but they are still wild animals so don’t get too close or try and touch the deer.
After a spot of lunch in the restaurant which is in a beautifully renovated stable area, we headed inside to explore the Hall.
The library is amazing – full of old atlas’ and the family even had some of their books personally bound with handwritten titles on the spines.
As with many historical houses, there is a large wash-house and kitchen area.
Finally, we headed out to wander around the beautiful gardens that Dunham Massey is famous for and, for me, they were the star of the show.
My favourite part of the gardens was the rose garden (pictured below) – I would love a garden at home like that, brimming full of roses and other flowers.
Wow this place looks lovely! Especially that garden
That looks like a cool place to visit. I love old, impressive buildings. And friendly deer.
Never heard of Dunham Massey but it looks great! I especially love the library!
One of the most beautiful place that I see, The best thing of this place that I really like is interior decoration 🙂