Dunham Massey

Sunday 20 May

After our visit to the Anderton Boat Lift we have headed to Dunham Massey, a National Trust house. Whilst this is not a spectacularly large house, the drive to it is long and the parkland surrounding the house is substantial allowing for many visitors to picnic in the grounds.

Rear of House from Gardens

Although the postal address is near Altrincham it is also near Little Bollington and easily signposted.

A modern cafe and visitor centre is set away from the main house which is found on a flat walk.

Talk on “A Woman’s Place”

Our Manx National Heritage cards allow us free access to the gardens and house as well and we are lucky enough to hear a small talk in the kitchen area by a volunteer who portrays one of the Housekeepers of the 19th Century at the house (Dunham Massey: A Woman’s Place)

Not a great deal to see inside of the house compared with other houses but still worth a visit. A display of Victorian and other clothing was a popular display and an item of interest is that surgeon Thomas White in May 1729 performed a Mastectomy in the house on Lady Mary Booth’s mother.

Costume display

It beggars belief the pain the poor woman went through.

Colourful

The gardens however are worth going to but were not perhaps at their best when we went.

Dinner tonight at a pub that was recommended by another volunteer who provided a golf cart style lift back to the entrance to save our legs.

The pub, The Swan with Two Nicks, is not exactly easy to find but once there we can see why the volunteer suggested it. Sunday lunch type fare, Yum.

500 year old Oak Tree – the oldest on the estate 

Monday 21 May

A bit of retail therapy in the heat of the day at Cheshire Oaks after we have said goodbye to Phillip & Sylvia.

Lots of renovations are being carried out on the complex which will make it even bigger in the not too distant future – probably in time for Christmas.

Ferry home from Liverpool just in time to prepare for the influx of bikers for this year’s TT.

We are hosing Homestay guests again this year but not our normal visitors.