With dramatic scenery and beautiful architecture, it’s no wonder so many television dramas are filmed in Cheshire
Lyme Park, Disley
Once home to the Legh family, Lyme Park is now managed by the National Trust. Originally a hunting lodge, the building was demolished and later during the 16th century it was transformed into a comfortable family home known as Lyme Hall.
The grade I listed building, which is the largest of its size in Cheshire, enjoyed a golden era during Edwardian times and its lavish furnishings and architecture have been well preserved for visitors to see and enjoy today. Take a walk around the lavish grounds and you may spot some wildlife in the estate’s 1,300 acre deer park. A mosaic of parkland, woodland and pasture, there is also 17 acres of gardens at Lyme where visitors can stroll around the flora and fauna.
What was filmed here?
In 1995, the BBC partly filmed their hugely popular television adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice, at Lyme Park. The exterior of the hall was used as Pemberley, home of Mr. Darcy, and many will remember the iconic scene where Colin Firth as Darcy emerges from Lyme’s lake in a dripping white shirt.
The series turned Firth into a household name, and the scene is often referred to as one of TV’s most memorable moments. The BBC later returned to Lyme Park to film the BAFTA nominated, The Village, in 2013.
Why you should be inspired
If the stunning architecture of Lyme Hall is not enough to inspire the romantic inside you, explore the beautiful Edwardian rose garden and reincarnate yourself as a modern day Miss Bennett.
Park is open annually, Lyme Hall re-opens in February.
Lyme Park, Disley, Stockport, SK12 2NR
Tel: 01663 762023, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme-park
Quarry Bank Mill, Styal
Built in 1784 by Samuel Greg, Quarry Bank Mill is one of the best preserved textile mills of the Industrial Revolution. Greg’s mill, powered by Europe’s most powerful working waterwheel, soon built him an extensive cotton empire. It is now a museum of the cotton industry where visitors can still experience the sights, smells and sounds of steam and water-powered engines. You can also take a short walk to Styal Village, which was built by the Greg family to house the mill workers, and visit a thriving Cheshire community. Quarry Bank Mill and the Styal estate were passed down through generations of the Greg family before being donated to the National Trust in 1939.
What was filmed here?
Channel 4 visited the mill in 2013 to start filming period television drama, The Mill.
The historical drama series is based on the lives and stories of real people who worked at the textile mill. Told through the eyes of central characters, Esther Price and Daniel Bate, the series depicts an ever changing Britain in the industrial revolution, the ongoing fight for workers’ rights and the troubles of the Greg family’s business. A second series was filmed in 2014.
Why you should visit
Travel back in time and imagine yourself as a mill worker with a visit to Quarry Bank Mill. Visitors can learn about traditional spinning and weaving techniques transformed by early textile engineers with many hands-on exhibits and demonstrations of how cotton is made into cloth. You can also take a look at how some of the workers of the mill lived, with examples of their clothes, children’s toys and a reconstruction of some of the rooms built by Greg in Styal Village.
Closed Monday-Tuesday until mid-February. Open daily onwards.
Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Wilmslow, SK9 4LA
Tel: 01625 527468, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank
Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington
The Grade II listed Walton Hall was built in 1838 for Sir Gilbert Greenall, the first Baronet, MP and grandson of Thomas, founder of Greenall’s brewery. After Sir Gilbert’s death in 1894, the house was inherited by his son, Gilbert Greenall.
A keen lover of agriculture, Gilbert helped to found the Royal International Horse Show and was largely responsible for rescuing the Royal Agricultural Show from collapse, remaining its director for 27 years. Later becoming the first Baron Daresbury, Gilbert lived at Walton Hall until his death in 1938. The estate was later sold by auction in 1941, with Warrington Borough Council acquiring ownership of the hall and gardens.
What was filmed here?
The exterior of Walton Hall was used in the filming of 2014 BBC television drama, Our Zoo. Based on the true story of how George Mottershead set up Chester Zoo at Upton in the 1930s, the series visits various locations around Cheshire.
After a visit to the zoo at Belle Vue, Manchester, aged eight, George was horrified by the caged animals and he formed a vision of a zoo without bars. In 1930, he made this vision a reality by buying Oakfield Manor, Upton, and seven acres of land for £3,500. Today the zoo covers 110 acres and has 11,000 animals from 400 different species.
Why you should visit
Walton Hall has its own children’s zoo. Although it may not be as grand as George Mottershead’s, it’s a great free day out with the family and boasts a colourful array of birds and animals including Shetland ponies, Herdwick sheep and pygmy goats. You can also practise your putting skills on the crazy golf course and have a browse around the heritage centre.
Open daily
Walton Hall and Gardens, Walton Lea Road, Higher Walton, Warrington, WA4 6SN
Tel: 01925 262 908, www.warrington.gov.uk/waltonhall
Village of Tattenhall
A quintessentially British village, Tattenhall sits eight miles south-east of Chester. Like so many Cheshire places, the village was mentioned in the Domesday Book with their main business for many years being farming.
Although the years have passed and the second half of the 20th century allowed people via motor cars and public transport to live in the country and work in the city, the village still retains a small population of 2,500.
What was filmed here?
ITV filmed the forthcoming series of Foyle’s War at Tattenhall village in April 2014, as well as frequenting nearby Church Bank. These idyllic parts of Cheshire were the perfect locations to achieve the nostalgic feel of post-World War Two Britain, as both places are relatively untouched.
Why you should visit it
Tattenhall village is the ideal place to enjoy a day out. Whether it’s walking around the countryside or taking a break in one of the cosy pubs, you’ll enjoy the traditional feel of this village.
Don’t forget to stop by Cheshire Farm Ice Cream and enjoy a scoop of their delicious homemade ice cream. This award-winning family business has been producing creamy delights for 28 years.
Tattenhall village, CH3 9PX
Capesthorne Hall, Siddington
Capesthorne Hall has been home to the Bromley Davenport family since 1726. A hugely popular wedding venue, the Jacobean style house with its Georgian chapel provides many couples with a beautiful location for their big day. Not only open for weddings, visitors can visit the country house and browse its historical paintings, European antique furniture and 16th century stained glass windows. Exhibition rooms within the hall also provide a fascinating glimpse into Capesthorne’s history.
What was filmed here?
The cast of Coronation Street descended on Capesthorne for the wedding of Tracy Barlow and Rob Donovan. Screened on ITV in October, the fairytale soap wedding showed Tracy arriving at the hall by horse drawn-carriage. However, the marriage wasn’t to be after Rob ran out on his bride when it was revealed he had murdered Tina McIntyre. Oh the drama…
Why you should be inspired
Even if you’re not a soap fan, there’s no denying that Tracy’s wedding at Capesthorne looked like it was going to be a spectacular day. If you’re planning a big day, why not follow in the dramatic footsteps of the Weatherfield clan and visit Capesthorne for inspiration.
Hall open Sunday-Monday between April and October. Weddings annually
Capesthorne Hall, Siddington, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 9JY
Tel: 01625 861221, www.capesthorne.com
