LYME PARK

Lyme Park does not easily divide into areas of similar character.

Although Park Moor is readily identified as open moorland, the remainder of the park is of widely varying character. We see within the boundary unimproved pasture land, grazed by sheep and deer, improved farmland in a separate ownership, natural woodland with remnants of planting commenced when the park was first enclosed by a boundary wall in the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, and in contrast the formal gardens surrounding the house and its ancillary buildings. Added to all this is the space devoted to the needs of the modern visitor. The extensive central car parking, the adventure playground, shop, toilets, kiosk and restaurant all contribute to an area of different character in the heart of the historic park, and in themselves bring pressures on surrounding areas from visitor activities. There are also several areas of water in both park and formal gardens which again have very different character, adding to the overall interest and variety of the landscape. Historically Lyme was an enclosed section of Forest, which retained some of the original features for many years. Until the start of the current century wild cattle grazed the parkland with the herds of deer which still remain today. Much tree planting has occurred over the centuries, varying from the 1930’s planting of conifers in large quantities, back to the formation of an avenue of lime trees established in the mid 1600’s framing a vista towards the distant moorland. Such views were important in the early years of the development of the Lyme estate, and often buildings were located specifically to take advantage of them, and to become the focal point themselves of such views. Several of these long distant vistas have been lost due to tree planting and unchecked growth over the years. A landscape study done some years ago made an attempt to divide the park into areas of similar character. With several modifications we have adopted these areas for the purpose of the conservation area analysis. Three distinct regions were identified for the study; these being the inner park, the outer park, and the moor. Within these broad areas 18 sub areas are proposed as illustrated on the key map.

The INNER PARK comprises of the area surrounding the house and its gardens. It includes the areas which received most of the design changes of the c18th and c19th. It is sub divided into Area 1 The Hall and Garden; Area 2 Calves Croft; Area 3 Hampers Wood; Area 4 Knightslow Wood; Area 5 Kennel Wood and Turfhouse Meadow; Area 6 Lantern Wood; and Area 7 Swine Park.

The OUTER PARK covers the remaining section of the original parkland excluding Park Moor. It surrounds the hall and contains the grassland once grazed by livestock and now mainly by deer where in the ownership of the National Trust. It includes areas in private ownership, where grazing and agricultural improvements have changed the character of the original parkland. It is sub-divided into Area 8 Cage Hill and Cater Slack; Area 9 Cowhouse Meadow; Area 10 Elmerhurst Wood, the Drive, and North Entrance; Area 11 Crow Wood and Turtle Brew; Area 12 The Knott and Area 13 Hase Bank and Pursefield Area 14 Drinkwater Meadow. Area 15 Elmerhurst area outside National Trust ownership is also in this region, as is Area 16 The Land Bordering the former Western approach, which is also in private ownership.

The Moor is divided into two areas. Both are principally open moorland dominated by purple moor grass, an invasive species not favoured by deer. They are Area 17 Cluse Hey and Area 18 Park Moor.

Area 1 Hall and Garden.

This area in itself is varied and complex. The house at Lyme dates from about 1465. Formal gardens were recorded from 1598 to 1620 when both additions and alterations were taking place, and the parkland was first enclosed with a wall to replace the wooden palisade. Alterations and additions continued through to the early 1900’s when the Vicary Gibbs garden was planted to the NW of the house. The gardens as we see them now are essentially Victorian in style. Much restoration of earlier features has been undertaken since 1980. The whole of this area is treated as a separate unit for management purposes by the National Trust. It is open to the public on more restricted occasions than the remainder of the park, with entrance through the Courtyard of Lyme Hall. The area is physically separated from the remainder of the park, and screened from much of it by planting and walls. There are several areas of individual character within this one overall space.

THE INNER PARK

Area 2 Calves Croft

This area is located to the South of the Hall and split into two by the remnants of the Lime Walk which in itself framed the view through the area to the moorland beyond. The land is basic pasture on which deer graze for part of the year. The boundary between this area and the outer park is formed by areas of enclosed woodland inside the boundary walls around the area. The lime avenue itself was much depleted by the storms of the 1950’s and although new planting has been undertaken it will be some time before the effect of a mature avenue of trees is re- gained. Within the area are a series of small ponds much overgrown and dominated by surrounding grass and scrub, with some rhododendron, birch and willow. Fencing to the deer enclosure is high wire netting and partly divides the area visually when seen at an angle.

Area 3 Hampers Wood

Hampers Wood which bounds the last area, forming the break between it and Park Moor is a mix of mainly beech, oak and ash along the boundary wall which are remnants of previous planting, with more mixed deciduous woodland which includes larch and willow with some rhododendron understorey. The area is included in the area grazed by fallow deer although largely separated from it by walls and fences. Several wet areas are in this woodland where water from Park Moor meanders through the woodland.

Area 4 Knightslow Wood

This area is one of mixed coniferous planting dating from the 1930s in the main with some mature trees, in particular Beech, of an earlier date. Tree growth has obscured views from the hall along the lime avenue to the moor beyond but some felling is now in hand to re-establish these views over the next few years. The ground itself rises towards mounds in the centre of the woodland which are believed to be a natural feature which may have been adorned with a building in the past.

Area 5 Kennel Wood and Turfhouse Meadow

From the buildings grouped around the former Kennels this area falls away gently towards the inner park and the house and gardens, and is mainly a mix of deciduous woodland and small clearings of grass. The whole are is one from which the public are excluded. The meadow is more open with views across it towards the Lantern and the House. Small groups of planting exist here which have in the past been allowed to block formal views between the house and the Lantern. There is a small pond in one of these areas.

Area 6 Lantern Wood

Lantern Wood is an area of mainly coniferous woodland on the hillside which surrounds the Lantern, a feature relocated here from the earlier house at Lyme. Views from the house to the Lantern have been recently re-opened after the growth of the trees obscured these. The block of trees extends out to the boundary of the park, and is itself enclosed by high stone walls on three sides, being separated from the inner park only by a wire fence, on the side nearest to the house. Some areas of rhododendron understorey exist and some mixed planting of beech and mountain ash survive, probably as remnants of earlier woodlands.

Area 7 Swine Park

This area is one dominated by the car parking associated with visits to the hall and parkland, with part forming a formal car park with hard surface in crushed stone, and overflow areas being grassed covered. Trees surround the area in the parkland, these being mainly mature lime and oak. Near to the garden retaining wall there is a timber building housing a shop and information centre with associated paved circulation. The area is subject to heavy visitor use for most of the year. From the car park towards the house is a long stepped ramp approach. The whole area is in a valley bottom with little in the way of views out, but it is in itself very visible from adjacent vantage points.

THE OUTER PARK

Area 8 Cage Hill and Cater Slack

The Cage dominates this area of the park and is seen from much of the remaining areas. It is a high tower of around 1735 which stands on the brow of the hill forming this area. The lines of three driveways pass through the site, reflecting changes in the access arrangements made over the years. From Cage Hill there are spectacular panoramic views over the Plains, and towards the rest of the National Park. Local views within Lyme park are important too, those towards the South being the best. The area is dominated by natural grassland which in itself contains groups of trees and individual trees, together with remnants of those lining the former drives. Some dense rhododendron occurs in Coalpit Clough. Herds of deer roam freely through this whole area, although some recent tree planting has high protective fencing to protect it from damage by them.

Area 9 Cowhouse Meadow and the Drive

The drive from the A6 road at is now the main entrance to the park. After the approach through ornate metal gates past the lodge, an area of mixed semi-mature woodland is reached before crossing the railway cutting which now divides this area from the remainder of the park. Once to the South of the railway the parkland is well planted with mixed tree cover before one reaches the Bollinghurst Brook where gradually this cover thins out and open parkland continues towards the house, with sporadic planting on either side of the drive. Views of the house are not available till the last part of the drive almost at the point where traffic is diverted to the car parks at Swine Park or beyond.

Area 10 Elmerhurst Wood

A mixed woodland in a valley parallel to the main drive, with a cleared understorey having regenerated with seedling trees of many varieties. Elmerhurst Brook flows through the edge of the area and adds variety to the vegetation. The wood is separated by a high deer fence and wall from much of the remaining parkland, and has a woodland walk through much of its length.

Area 11 Crow Wood and Turtle Brew

Crow Wood has a rich and diverse mix of tree and understorey flora, and is augmented by the stream which flows from the Mill Pond in Turtle Brew, which in itself has good tree cover of mature trees of varying species, in open parkland except where rhododendron occurs next to the pond. The workshop yard is located here which contains restaurant, shop and toilets as well as the housing and the Old Work Shop with its large brick chimney.

Area 12 The Knott

An extensive area of open unimproved grassland grazed by deer divided by two small streams or ditches, which run towards a small pond at the Eastern boundary of the park. Here there is mixed vegetation or scrub on the banks. The area is crossed by the road to the Hase Bank gate where a small car park exists for visitor use. The line of the old West Approach drive also passes through, but is now only a narrow grass track. Some flatter areas here have space for overflow car parking, whilst the main feature is the remains of the quarried hill which was once central to this part of the park. Views from here include those over the Cheshire plains and those towards the house and glimpses of the Cage. When the Western approach drive was the main approach these would have been the first views of the House.

Area 13 Hase Bank And Pursefield

The main feature of this area is the wooded valley through which a later drive to the West Park Gate passes. This is now a pedestrian route into the park and mixed woodland in the valley bottom and sides gives an enclosed feel to the area. If one climbs out of the valley to the east and Pursefield then the character becomes one of unimproved pasture sloping gently to the south with distant views to Park Moor or southwards towards Pott Shrigley. At the highest point there is a small tower house known as Paddock Cottage which at one time formed a feature on part of the system of formal views through the parkland, but is now screened from the north by the growth of Pursefield Wood. Several small quarries are evident in this area, most now being disturbed areas of ground with some broken stone debris on the surface.

Area 14 Drinkwater Meadow

This area of pasture was for many years in separate ownership from the remainder of the park although totally surrounded by it. It is fairly rough meadow grazed by livestock on a regular basis, and is seen from the Knott as a foreground to the moor. Several walking routes pass through the area. The southern boundary is the high stone wall separating this inner parkland from the Park Moor.

Area 15 Elmerhurst outside the area owned by the National Trust.

This is an area of improved pasture now mainly outside the National Trust owned area, but once part of the historic parkland. Its boundary towards the Cheshire Plains is formed by woodland and the ground slopes gently towards this from the hilltop close to the present Lyme Park. The pasture is surrounded by hedges and woodland except on the hilltop where a wall bounding adjacent areas of Crow. A track forming the edge of the land owned by the National Trust is near to the boundary of this area adjacent to the park. Public footpaths pass along the boundary of the area. The main reason for its inclusion in the Conservation Area is its historical connection with the park, although it has been in separate ownership for many years. Two flatter areas of improved pasture to the south are included in this strip of land. These too have extensive views from the wall over the Cheshire Plain.

Area 16 Land Bordering Former Western Approach

From the site of the Old West Park gate, an old road climbs the hill through improved pasture land towards the land now in the ownership of the National Trust. The land falls away to the North West and the former Boundary wall of the historic parkland. A further wall at the top of Hase Bank forms the South Eastern boundary of the area. There are extensive views from this hillside towards the North and West with glimpses of the Macclesfield Canal in the middle distance. The pasture here is regularly grazed and is unlikely to be of high ecological interest, but as this route formed the major approach to the house for many years, it is considered important to include it in any Conservation Area proposal. The former carriage drive is still a regular route for walkers passing through the park and beyond being part of the local network of public footpaths.

THE MOOR

Area 17 Cluse Hay

Cluse Hay contains the most dramatic land forms in Lyme Park. On the west side it falls down steeply from Paddock Cottage, towards the stream which splashes down the valley bottom and flows through a small rocky gorge to Deer Clough. The valley itself forms a natural barrier between the adjacent areas of parkland and Park Moor. At the Southern end there is a striking rocky outcrop where there are spectacular views to the South across Stag House to Bowstone Gate and Westwards over the Cheshire plains. From this outcrop there is evidence of man’s influence on the area in the terraced land form within ditches above the valley bottom on the opposite slope, which may be evidence of further quarrying activity, or an area of earlier settlement. The area is one of extensive bracken and some gorse bushes, with a few old Sessile Oak trees and scattered mixed tree cover in the valley bottom. There are no young trees. The area is separated from others by walls and remnants of walls. There are several areas within Cluse Hay where quarrying activity has altered the original land form, stone probably being extracted for the walls and structures within Lyme Park.

Area 18 Park Moor

This is the largest of the sub divisions of the park being about 430 acres or 174 hectares, and is essentially natural moorland grassland dominated by mat grass, wavy hair grass, sheep’s fescue and common bent. On the peaty soils on upper slopes of the SE there are extensive areas of purple moor grass, which is very tussocky and under utilised since the withdrawal of cattle. The area has three major water courses which have sources on the moor. A large wet depression is at the confluence of Black River and Olley Brook known as Wet Shaw. Old accounts of the area speak of a cover of holly, which was probably lost with overgrazing by the early 19th century. There were two important structures on the moor originally, these being the Stag house of which some traces are still evident, and the Game keepers house near Bowstones, both of which were eye catchers on two separate views from the house set out in the 17th century. The area also contained two small quarries which supplied stone for the house and estate. Much of the area has been subject to drainage over the years, and there are summer fires at intervals which destroy much vegetation. The area is walled off from both the surrounding countryside and other areas of the park by high gritstone walls, and has several footpaths which pass through it. Views are mainly to the North and West taking advantage of the steep fall of the land from boundary wall towards the hall. Most of the area is from 300m to 380m above sea level, well above the other well known feature of Cage Hill.

A. Terrace gardens to the South of the Orangery

This area is laid out at different levels with formal borders of flowers planted as bedding each year, the area is one of neatly trimmed grass on which one does not feel encouraged to walk. Gravel paths divide the area but it has a tendancy to read as a whole unit framed by the shrub and tree planting between it and the upper lawns, and the surrounding parkland. At the lowest side of the area a large area of water exists with a small island on which less formal vegetation grows. The west end is borded by a terrace wall from which there are views over the lower Dutch Garden to the West, and beyond that to the Parkland and former West approach.

B. The Orangery

The Orangery itself is a Listed Building and contains examples of planting needing the protection of the structure to resist weather conditions. From it here are views southwards over the terrace gardens towards the Calves Croft Deer sanctuary area. The North wall of the structure prevents any views in that direction.

C. Lady Newton’s Rose Garden

Next to the Orangery is a small formal rose garden set out in four main borders divided by paths. It is screened from the adjacent areas by walls and hedges, with views to the South over the lawns and terraces. To the North and West higher walls screen of views to other areas.

D. Herbaceous Borders E. Top Lawns

Passing uphill the next area reached is that with less formal grass and wide borders of perennial planting. Some azalea and rhododendron occur around this area, which narrows as one approaches the highest point of the gardens and drops suddenly to the top of F. Killtime Gardens which is steeply sided gully with a stream hidden from the views of the house by tree and shrub planting. This is one of the most secluded areas of the gardens. Following the stream brings on back to the lower lawns and lake.

G. Rhododendron Garden H. Lakeside gardens

On the far side of the lake is an area of mixed azalea and rhododendron which forms the edge of the formal garden and separates it from the surrounding park. Here the boundary is only a wire fence which allows views both into and out of the gardens. At the far end of this strip of garden one reaches the boathouse as the lake ends and the stream re-starts, here closely enclosed by high stone walls as it drop over high weirs only to disappear beneath the car park below;

J. Dutch gardens

The entrance to the lower gardens is at this point and one passes between high rhododendron and shrub planting before emerging at the foot of the terrace wall overlooking the Dutch garden laid out with formal planting between box hedging, surrounding a central fountain. From the terrace wall foot on can still see views to the park beyond, but the garden itself is well screened from all outward views, being overlooked only from vantage points at the level of the house, or the foot of the terrace wall.

K. Vicary Gibbs garden

Continuing round the foot of the terrace wall supporting the Bull Pen above one reaches the Vicary Gibbs Garden which is an informal mix of tree and shrub planting surrounded on two sides by the terrace walls supporting the house and its forecourt, and on the other two sides by walls and planting which give a visual separation from the parkland, for most of the year. In front of one terrace wall trees have been trained onto wires in an espalier form which gives the effect of a green cover to the wall when the leaves are out, and otherwise allows the wall to dominate the garden.

L. Bull Pen

Returning to the Bull Pen by retracing ones route one finds a flat area retained on three sides by the retaining walls previously mentioned, with gravelled paths and grass. Views from here over the car park to the parkland beyond are good, and the house itself forms the backdrop to the area.

M. Hall; courtyards and forecourts

Here hard surfaces predominate in areas dominated by the massive house, constructed over several hundred years. The courtyard is surrounded by an arcade, and features a central well head which apart from the steps by which the house is entered is its main decorative feature. The entrance from the forecourt and the garden entrance lie on opposite sides of the space. The forecourt itself is separated from the parkland by ornate gates and railings which allow views out along the line of the old drives, and into the parkland. The area is level and artificially retained on the hillside by huge terrace walls above the Vicary Gibbs garden.

N. The Stables

The two storey stable block sits on the hill top near to the hall and encloses its own paved courtyard in the centre of a hollow square of buildings. The grass of the parkland runs up to the building, and contains several mature trees in this area.

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