Adopted Appraisal

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 Macclesfield 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 Cheshire Plains, and towards the rest of the Peak District 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.

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