Jane Austen Addict: Lyme Park on Easter Sunday

Ten years ago on Easter weekend I took a long train ride across the Scottish and English countryside all to catch a glimpse of Mr. Darcy and his esteemed estate, Pemberley. Ahem, I mean, to see the beautiful grounds of Pemberley. (Ahem...) Sorry, that's not right either, I mean, Lyme Park, the location of P&P '95's Pemberley.

The 6 hour journey from Aberdeen went through Edinburgh to Carlisle and then to Stockport and finally to the small city of Disley in Cheshire. Along the way there were beautiful hills full of green grass and sheep. Because it was spring, there were also lambs. Lots of lambs with their mamas. I distinctly remember seeing a lamb stand up and immediately topple over onto a brother or a sister. Could it have been its first time standing?

I traveled with my American friend, Ellie, who was also very excited to visit Lyme Park. Our Saturday arrival was met with torrents of rain as our taxi dropped us off at the main entrance. (Rather than walk from the train station in a downpour a la Marianne Dashwood and catching a horrific fever, we opted for the taxi.)

We did the best we could on such a rainy day--we toured every inch of the house! Lyme Park is part of the National Trust in England, much like our Nat'l Historic Register etc. It is well maintained and hosts a variety of local functions throughout the year. No pictures were allowed inside the house, so all I have are postcards of beautifully ornate rooms in a scrapbook. It was beautiful, and I swear I saw Mr. Darcy run down a set of stairs but then I blinked and the moment was gone. Sigh.

By the time we were ready to head to our B&B, it was only lightly raining. The picture to the right shows the road we walked down to get from the park to Disley and our B&B. It had a very English country walk feel to it. It was there that I saw what I kept looking for and had never actually seen. An honest to goodness English countryside footbridge! So, of course, I had to pose for a photo opp. (See below.) After the mile walk from the park to The Grey Cottage, our wonderful beyond compare B&B!, we had a quiet evening watching British TV and reading a horribly ill written Dawson's Creak spinoff novel. (Note my enthusiasm about our B&B. In other words, should you make a trek to Lyme Park, I highly recommend this place!)

The Grey Cottage

Looking out on a beautiful Easter Sunday morning from Grey Cottage.

On Easter Sunday, the sun came out and we took an early morning walk to Lyme Park one more time before catching the train back to Stockport etc. An Easter tradition on the grounds of the park is that local families bring their children for an Easter Egg hunt. We saw tons of children in their Easter Sunday attire running around by the garden finding eggs. Of course, did I take photos of this event. No. So, just imagine children hunting eggs. It was also delightful to see the park in the sunshine. We were able to walk outsite and catch that (in)famous glimpse that Elizabeth sees as she approaches Pemberley!

A few more for kicks...

The 'back' of Lyme Park, what visitors see first upon entering from the main gate.

Walking to Lyme Park from Disley/Grey Cottage. Building in the background is the Cage. A hunting tower that women would go to in order to watch men hunt.