Route: Dalemain Gardens to Dacre
Area: Eastern Lake District
Date of walk: 7th June 2022
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.0 miles
Ascent: 300 feet
Weather: Bright at first, then rain and drizzle
Dalemain Mansion is situated in a wonderful position, overlooking rolling parkland and the eastern fells beyond. The mansion has been home to the Hasell family since 1679. We’ve visited the gardens at Dalemain Mansion on numerous occasions over the last 20 years or so. It’s a place which never fails to please. A walk round the garden combined with a short walk to nearby Dacre is a perfect way to while away a morning
We arrived shortly after opening, which was 10.30 am today, and made our way around the gardens. We were glad that the Himalayan blue poppies were still in flower, a lovely sight in the woodland part of the garden
After wandering around for an hour or two, it was time to get on with the walk, which is no more than a leisurely stroll along the estate road from Dalemain to Dacre, passing through rolling farmland. There are good views in all directions, though the weather had closed in by now and conditions were uninspiring. Less than 1 hour after setting off we arrived in the attractive village of Dacre in perfect time to enjoy lunch at the excellent Horse & Farrier which I can highly recommend for its food and friendly service
Last time we were here we visited nearby St Andrew’s Church which has many interesting features, including a memorial window by Lawrence Whistler. The grounds contain some strange stone statues, the Dacre Bears, which have puzzled historians for centuries. In view of the poor weather we gave it a miss today and simply retraced our steps along the estate road back to Dalemain to end a short but very enjoyable walk (for anyone looking for longer walks centred on Dalemain, visit Search Walks and enter ‘Dalemain’)
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
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The day before the walk, a pied flycatcher doing what its name suggests
A mouthful of flies for the nestlings
The start of today's walk as we pass by a herd of fallow deer next to the car park at Dalemain Mansion
We make our way to the entrance, passing by the Great Barn which dates back to the 16th century
We pass by the front of Dalemain Mansion on the way to the gardens, which lie to the right...
The Terrace Walk along the side of the mansion
Looking across the 18th century parkland towards the eastern fells. Ullswater is nearby but unseen from here
The herbaceous border along the terrace, established in 1826
The silver fir was planted as a 'full stop' to the border. It is now the biggest of its type in the country
The Elizabethan Parterre
The adjacent Spiral Garden
Avenue of clipped holly
The Rose Walk, which includes many old fashioned shrub roses
The summerhouse at the end of the Rose Walk
We make our way down to the Low Garden
Sleeping dragon in the Low Garden
We were glad that the Himalayan blue poppies (Meconopsis grandis Dalemain) were still in flower...
The path leads to Dacre Beck
Dacre Beck on our left as we follow the path through the Low Garden
The Sleeping Giant
Dacre Beck
We retrace our steps past Dalemain Mansion to set out on the simple walk to Dacre
The easy track passes beside the grounds of Dalemain Garden...
An avenue of trees...
The weather was miserable along this section of the walk but was a pleasant stroll through the fields nevertheless
We arrive at Dacre Castle, which dates back to the 14th century and is now a private home
Looking back to Dacre Castle
We arrive in the unspoilt village of Dacre
The end of the journey - the excellent Horse and Farrier Inn. Suitably refuelled we retraced our steps to Dalemain from here
