Unusual !!

My last picture from Dunham Massey ( for a while anyway )

This unusual building can be found in the gardens - I'm not sure what has been built here !!

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Dunham Gardens

Dunham Massey Hall and Gardens.

Just a few pictures from the garden .

A very pretty spot to relax especially on a hot Sunday afternoon.

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Creature Creature ....

The creature ( looks like a lion ) guards the driveway up to Dunham Massey Hall.

As a child I visited the Park many times but it was not until the late 1970's were the general public allowed in. It was a further 30 years before I actually managed last weekend to visit the Hall which I'm glad I did - because - it is a very interesting place !!!

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What's the time ???

The clock tower at Dunham Massey.

Quite a landmark ..

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Dunham Massey - A Georgian Hall

You'll find Dunham Massey - the Hall , Gardens and Deer Park - not far from the small town of Altrincham near Manchester.

Originally owned by the Earls of Stamford the 10th Earl bequeathed the estate to the National Trust in 1976.

In 1066 Hamo de Massey was given land at Dunham by William the Conqueror and the first record of  Dunham Park itself was recorded in 1362.

By 1577 Saxton's map of Cheshire shows the Hall surrounded by a park.

The 2nd Earl of Stamford began tree planting in the formal French style in 1694.

By 1773 day trippers are using the newly built Bridgewater Canal to escape the muck and grime of Manchester to visit the Park and Gardens ..

In 1978 the Old Park is designated an SSSI ( if I remember correctly a Site of Special Scientific Interest ) to protect it's trees, deer, bats and beetles.

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Resting ...

Dunham Massey " Deer Park "

One of the residents having some lunch !

It's a hard life !

Good job I'm not camera shy !

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Spring Bank holiday ..

Today Monday 25th May is a public holiday in the UK - offices and factories are shut but of course the shops remain open .

Warm sunny weather has brought people out of their homes today for visits to the shops , pubs , city centres, seaside and of course the countryside.

We decided to head for the countryside and visited Dunham Massey with the Hall, gardens and deer park.

The place certainly attracted enough people and by afternoon the car park was full.

I'll post more pictures of the place throughout the week.

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