Rajel Khambhaita’s 2015 makes us jealous. He spent the year hopping from National Trust property to National Trust property, taking in historic homes and natural wonders alike. All told, he used his membership card to visit over 65 special places across the UK in his Year of Magical Visits.
Over the next several weeks, Rajel will be sharing stories from his ten most memorable National Trust visits from 2015. Today, he’s writing about spectacular Lyme Park in Cheshire. Read about his experience and then plan your own visit. All you need is your Royal Oak membership and your passport!
By Rajel Khambhaita
Lyme Park estate, the National Trust’s 1,400 acre grounds located in Cheshire and just on the edge of the Peak District is a must-see property for visitors to the region. I visited during the summer of 2015 as part of a Midlands trip (part of a wider initiative to visit more of the UK – read about it here) and was overwhelmed by the mix of property, landscape, history and gardens. The estate is set against a background of hilly countryside. Hardly surprising then that it was used as a location for the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. The photographic overview that follows aims to provide a tour of the most interesting parts of the estate.
The National Trust now encourages visitors to use the furniture in certain rooms (such as the library) so that they can get a better sense of what it would have been like to inhabit these spaces.
Entrance Hall and library
The house is impressively furnished and particularly notable for its tapestries, wood carvings, musical instruments and clocks.
Visitors can use the furniture in the library and view the 15th century Lyme Missal prayer book, the single most important printed book in the National Trust’s collection.
Dining room
Ornately decorated and set for a feast, Lyme Park’s dining room oozes English style.
Drawing Room
The Drawing Room is impressive with ornate features at every turn. It is interesting to note that some of the furniture in the photograph was accepted in lieu of inheritance tax by HM Government.
The Knights’ bedroom
The bedroom is particularly impressive with a lot of history. I recall the volunteer guide mention that the room had a significant re-fit to accommodate the bed. As a result, many of the lines and angles with the ceiling and walls are far from straight.
Don’t miss all of Rajel’s spectacular photography! Visit his Flickr album or follow him on twitter (@jskphotoimpress) for more from his National Trust travels.
Visit Lyme Park and hundreds of other special places with your Royal Oak membership! Join Now