All the events for the weekend, with details on classes, workshops and talks.
Dalemain and it’s Lake District Gardens and much-loved family home is set against the grandeur and picturesque splendour of the Lakeland Fells and Parkland. A mediaeval, Tudor and early Georgian house and Lake District gardens that has been home to the same family since 1679. Behind the impressive pink, ashlar façade you will discover the real surprise of Dalemain – its sheer variety.
The name Dalemain means ‘manor in the valley’, and there has been a settlement here since Saxon times. The first recorded mention of a building on this site, is of a fortified pele tower in the reign of Henry II; one of a line of towers built to protect the country against marauding Scots to the North. To this was added a manor hall in the 14th century, with a second tower and in turn, in the 16th century were added two wings housing kitchen and living quarters, one on each side of the main building.
The impressive Georgian front was completed in 1744, built to enclose a central courtyard between the new and the old parts of the house. The Lake District gardens facade was rebuilt in 1748 to match the new front, and there have been no major alteration since that time.
The great barn situated in the courtyard at Dalemain was built in the 1500’s and is one of the largest loft barns in the north of England. The roof height was raised in 1685 by order of Sir Edward Hasell. The barn now houses the agricultural museum and fell pony museum on the upper floor. Look to your right at the end of the enclosed passageway before turning left for the stairs and you will see the old cloisters under the barn.
Step back in time and see the farming equipment used by our fore fathers. Items on display include: carts, ploughs, cultivators and various other equipment and hand tools. The fell pony museum displays: horse collars, harnesses and various pictorial histories. There is a blacksmith’s workshop at the far end of the barn.
Public rooms in the house:
Georgian Dalemain
Grand public rooms including the breathtaking Chinese Room with its original, eighteenth-century, hand-painted wallpaper.
Tudor Dalemain
A glorious confusion of winding passages, quaint stairways and unexpected rooms, including the Fretwork Room with its magnificent, sixteenth-century plaster ceiling and oak panelling.
Fascinating interiors
With fine furniture, family portraits, ceramics, dolls’ houses, old toys and the Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry Museum.
Lady Anne Clifford
Sir Edward Hasell was ‘Chiefe Officer’ to Lady Anne Clifford until her death in 1676. See various gifts from Lady Anne to Sir Edward, including the Clifford lock and key, her portrait by Bracken and her Diary of 1676.
The gardens:
Visit our delightful 5 acre plantsman’s garden of richly planted herbaceous borders with an intriguing and unusual combination of flowers. Just 2 miles from Ullswater in the heart of Lakeland the sheltered gardens at Dalemain are a haven of tranquillity.
Wander along the Georgian terrace border being sure not to miss the Silver Fir (Abies cephalonica) which is now the biggest of it’s type in the British Isles. Then stroll in the Tudor knot garden, continue along the Rose Walk with over 150 old fashioned roses, at their very best in June/July when the heavenly scent is intoxicating. The ancient apple trees in this area of the garden are named 18th/19th century varieties with nearly 30 different kinds. The fruit from these trees is used in the tearoom in several of the delicious recipes available throughout the year. At the top of the rose walk you arrive at the Gazebo still with it’s 18th century seating which in late summer is almost hidden by a profusion of Clematis tangutica. From here you will find the entrance into shady Lob’s Wood.
Following your visit to Lob’s Wood return to the garden and head down the lawn to enjoy the colour themed herbaceous borders on each side, before discovering the Low Garden with it’s pond and riverside walks. In late May and early June see the dazzling display of Himalayan Blue Poppies (‘Meconopsis Dalemain’).
The Children’s Garden
During your visit don’t miss the children’s garden, developed by Mrs Hasell-McCosh when her children were quite small. Most of the plants in the garden have animals in their common names, such as Bear’s Breeches (Acanthus), Snapdragon (Antirrhinum) and Foxglove (Digitalis). Each plant is enhanced for added enjoyment by the recent introduction of locally hand crafted wooden animal signs which are also available for purchase in our gift shop.
