Lyme Park NT

🌿Restoring a hidden corner of Lyme: Killtime 🌿

Did you know Lyme’s 19th-century gardeners had a secret spot? Tucked away in a secluded valley south of the house, they would wait by a quiet stream when the owners were in residence—“killing time.” Over the years, the area became known as Killtime, and today it’s the focus of an exciting restoration project.

Our garden team has begun a multi-year mission to bring this peaceful valley back to life. In the first phase, they have carefully excavated and reinstated the original sunken stone edging along the pathway, helping restore its historic character.
There has also been some removal and reduction in the height of shrubs to open the vistas down the Killtime valley, creating focal points with existing trees and giving a glimpse of the Reflection Lake.
Then finally, prior to opening the path again, it was completely resurfaced with fresh gold pathing stone.


What’s next?

🌸 The streamside borders have been planted with a selection of hardy herbaceous perennials that come back year after year. Although small now, they will continue to grow this summer and eventually fill the space with flower and foliage.

🎨 The planting scheme will feature calming tones of blues, whites and soft apricot pinks, enhancing Killtime’s role as a tranquil retreat, especially during the warmer months.

Looking ahead, new shrubs and trees will also be added along the opposite bank, bringing richer autumn colour and a stronger winter landscape.

We look forward to sharing updates as we reveal the gradual transformation of this hidden gem 💚

What's on this half term at Lyme?

🐝Pick up a Wildlife Wander trail booklet 🐛
A self-led trail where you can watch, draw listen and solve puzzles as you explore the estate. The trail cost £1 and includes a booklet, pencil and wildflower seeds to take home and plant. Trails can be purchased from the information kiosk or ticket office.

🌸Go on a free blossom walk down Hawthorn Drive 🌸
Take a deep breath in nature and discover Lyme’s parkland blossom on this self-guided walking trail along Hawthorn Drive that includes poetry from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.

🎨Get crafty in the Still Room 🖍
Take inspiration from our origami installation in the Orangery and offsite blossom events and create your own origami butterflies or flowers to take home.

🐝Visit the house 🌸
Spot the knitted bees as you go around and see how many you can find...
Follow the blossom trail to learn about special items in our collection and look closely at the flowers decorating them.

🐦 Bird nesting season at Lyme is in full swing! 🌿

Spring is one of the most exciting times of year on the estate, as a chorus of birdsong announces the return of our seasonal wildlife visitors. From skylarks to lapwings, Lyme is alive with ground nesting birds raising the next generation.

But it isn’t just birds that nest on the ground, many species nest in low vegetation such as brambles these include blackcap and chiffchaff. The ranger team also maintain over 100 nest boxes which are dotted around the estate, for species which prefer to nest in holes, these includes t**s, nuthatch and pied flycatchers.

Meanwhile, Park Moor is also transforming. For the first time in hundreds of years, surface water is flowing again 💦—creating vital new habitats for wildlife and supporting upland plants and animals.

Across the estate, skylarks and meadow pipits have established breeding territories, alongside sightings of snipe, curlew and flocks of golden plover. These beautiful birds have even stayed with us throughout winter—something rarely seen—gathering in flocks of up to 60 and feeding across the moor. You might not spot them easily, but listen out for their distinctive calls on your walks.
Spring also brings new life beyond birdlife—soon we’ll welcome red deer calves and playful lambs across the landscape 🦌🐑

How you can help wildlife thrive:
✅ Stick to marked paths when walking or running
✅ Keep dogs on leads outside of designated off lead areas
✅ Follow signposted cycling routes

Ground-nesting bird season runs until 31 July, and some livestock areas may be temporarily closed until the end of September.

Thank you for helping us protect Lyme’s wildlife 💚

Thankyou to volunteer Nigel for the photo! Taken at Lyme recently, it shows a golden plover resting in the moorland.

🥾May is National Walking Month and we have plenty on offer at Lyme.

Join our free volunteer-led walks happening across the estate or come to Lyme via green travel and enjoy our self-led blossom walk installed along Hawthorn Drive.

🔨Dry Stone Walling walks
Join an expert led walk with the Dry Stone Walling Association Cheshire branch. Your tour will begin with a brief history of Lyme and its dry stone walls. The walk will begin, showing the basics of how a wall is constructed and some of the tools used. We'll show you how our stone is sourced and shaped into usable stone. We'll then take you on a tour showcasing some of our more impressive walling features and structures, such as our wall ends and walling onto a hill.

🌸Blossom walks
On this blossom-themed wellbeing walk, you can step away from the hustle of modern life and join us to explore the beauty of blossom at Lyme.
The walking route spans from the Admissions building and through the parkland along Hawthorn Drive. Once at the House, you will take a walk around the formal gardens, spotting the seasonal highlights on display.

🌞Wellbeing Walk
Step away from the busyness of modern life and join our volunteers on a expert led wellbeing walk. You’ll travel through the Lyme Estate exploring areas of the park and taking in the natural beauty of the countryside.
Wellbeing walks run every month, with each walk taking a different route through the estate.

Visit our website for more information and to book your place.

Visiting Lyme this bank holiday weekend? Why not travel by public transport and let us do the rest! 🚐🚄

On Sat 2nd, Sun 3rd & Mon 4th May between 10am - 4pm we’ll be running a second minibus between Disley Station and the house.

To request a pick-up from the station, call 01663 761 400. Arriving by bus? Our standard minibus can collect you from the admissions hut – just ask at the hut when you arrive.

As a thank you for arriving by green-wheels, enjoy free entry to the park and garden as well as 10% off in our cafés when you show a bus or train ticket with the day’s date on it.

Join knowledgeable members of the Dry Stone Walling Association next week on a free guided walk to find out more about the work that goes in to conserving the miles of dry stone walls at Lyme.

📅Wednesday 22 April | 10.30am - 12.00pm📅

Explore Lyme's 18 miles of dry stone walls and take in exceptional views of Manchester and the surrounding areas as you pass by ancient woodland and historical follies.

It costs approximately £12,000 to maintain the walls, and our volunteers work hard to keep them looking as great as they do. The walk will take approximately 1.5 hours and is of moderate difficulty. For non-members, admission charges apply.

Visit our events page for more things to do at Lyme.
🔗https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/lyme/events🔗

📷 National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra
Image description: A close up of a mallet on top of a dry stone wall, with a volunteer working behind it and blurred trees in the background. 'Walk the walls at Lyme' is written in the top left corner in pink boxes.

One more week of Easter Adventures at Lyme!
🐰🐣🌸

Grab some bunny ears and go on an adventure around the garden and Crow Wood.

📆 21 March to 19 April
⏰10.30am-4pm
💳 £3.50 per trail, including a dairy/vegan chocolate egg of your own at the end! (Normal admission applies)

See who can win in an egg-and-spoon race, giant noughts and crosses or Pictionary as part of our family-friendly trail, counting giant wooden eggs as you go

And when you've completed our outdoor trail, why not venture into the house to see how many wooden bunnies you can spot?

Whilst stocks last

🌸Celebrate blossom in Stockport this spring!

We're collaborating with What if? Stockport, An Actions Common and local creatives on these free community events that celebrate the wonder of blossom in our local urban area.

Spaces are limited to booking is advised.
Visit for more information and booking links

This Easter, step into the Still Room at the house and discover our special pop‑up pre‑loved children’s bookshop.

Our volunteers have hand‑picked hundreds of much‑loved stories, ready for your family to explore and find their new favourite during the holiday.

If you’re having a spring clean, we’d be delighted to receive donations of any books — children’s or otherwise. Every book you pass on helps us continue caring for Lyme’s historic house, gardens, and collections.

Thanks to your generosity, together we’ve already raised over £45,000 for vital conservation work.
With your support, we can keep protecting Lyme for future generations of readers, adventurers, and daydreamers.

Plan your visit 👉 nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lyme

Happy Cheshire Day

Soaking up big skies, muddy boots, and all the golden magic that makes this place pure Cheshire charm.

Fun fact, Lyme comes from the Latin for "border", so if you think we're in Stockport or the Peak District… you're not far off.