Exploring Dacre and Dalemain Historic Gardens

Thursday was a perfect day for a walk from the tiny village of Dacre to Dalemain Mansion and the historic gardens.    We set off past St. Andrew's church, the Dacre Clock Company offices and Dacre Castle.  The views were stunning, the North Pennines, the Lakeland fells and lush verdant fields.   Newly born lambs accompanied us.

We sat outside the ancient barn drinking coffee accompanied by marmalade ginger bread cake.   Dalemain is internationally famous for the annual marmalade festival.   No one else was around.   Peaceful and tranquil.    Trees were literally bursting into leaf as we sat.   The gardens are magical.    No need for words.   



Dacre Castle 


Dalemain's Elizabethan Cobbled Courtyard


The Elizabethan Parterre


The Spiral Garden


Views of the North Pennines


The Rose Walk


The Top Garden - exciting new developments


Ribes sanguineum 'Album'


We finished the day in Dacre.   The Horse and Farrier's garden was bathed in sunlight.    We drank old fashioned lemonade with ice and a slice of lemon out of sparkling crystal glasses.    The end to a perfect day.

 

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