Hi

We will be picking up a car in Liverpool and driving to our farm stay B&B at Flagg, in the Peak District.

My plan was to visit Lyme Park on the way; it seems like a great stop and we can't check in at the B&B until late afternoon.

Now I see that the house is not open the day we plan to visit. I think I will be happy with the gardens and grounds, and we've visited a great house before without touring the inside, plus we will visit Chatsworth and Haddon Hall and maybe Hardwick.

I hope to get some feedback. Do I visit the gardens and grounds at Lyme Park or head to a beauty spot or visit a different house?

We are also interested in villages and maybe charming towns, but aren't really shopper.

I hope to be outdoors but a rain plan might be good.

I especially like ruins and churches if you have any to recommend.

Thanks.

I'd probably still visit Lyme Park -- it is right on your way and the gardens/grounds are really lovely. I <i>think</i> the statue of Colin Firth/Mr Darcy, wet shirt and all, emerging from the lake is gone now -- it was a hoot.

About 27 miles south of Liverpool is Chester. Here's a little info from Wiki…

Chester
City in England
Chester is a city in northwest England, founded as a Roman fortress in the 1st century A.D. It's known for its extensive, well-preserved Roman walls made of local red sandstone. In the old city, the Rows is a shopping district distinguished by 2-level covered arcades and Tudor-style half-timbre buildings. A Roman amphitheatre, with ongoing excavations, lies just outside the old city's walls.

We had a delightful stay there. It's then about an hour's drive to Lyme Park.


P.S. Have you seen Lost in Austen? Talk about a hoot -

Thanks ladies.

Gwendolynn, I have seen Lost in Austen and I too think it's a hoot. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

What I hated was the revisionist crap offered up in Mansfield Park and (ugh) becoming Jane. Poor JBA.

I'm going to take a look at Chester now.

I wasn't able to go in the house, either, but the grounds were so beautiful, and the view OF the house, was wonderful. If you have time, walk up to the hunting tower. So atmospheric.

This feedback is great. It appears we will be able to really enjoy our day between Liverpool and our B&B.