We have visited Dunham Massey twice over the past few months and it has quickly become one of our favourite National Trust properties.
What To Expect At Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Greater Manchester WA14 4SJ.
Dunham Massey boasts a garden for all seasons, ancient deer park and a house that is filled with treasures and stories.
On arrival at Dunham Massey your tickets will be checked as you drive in to the car park area. Pre Booking tickets is advised and guarantees entry. Once your tickets are checked you are shown to the car park area and ready to start your day out.
The reception area is just as you enter the estate and has a cafe, toilets, gift shop and an ice cream kiosk. It is probably the largest reception area we have seen in the National Trust places we have been to, and its really modern and fresh.
When you are ready to enter the main estate you can head up the steps or the accessible route which leads you to the courtyard. There is a large lake which you walk past here which has fountain sprays which fire up from time to time and are really nice to look at. In the courtyard you have access to toilets, ice cream parlour, the gardens and the deer park. The courtyard also has some pop up stands with freshly cooked pizza, coffee, and cakes to choose from.
The house, mill and stables are closed at the moment but there is still plenty to explore. The house itself looks really impressive, and well preserved so we are looking forward to being able to have a look around when it opens.
From the courtyard you can choose to head out onto the deer trail, or into the gardens. Both are different experiences and I would recommend you visit both when you go.
The Gardens are a lovely walk through brightly coloured plants and flowers and large open spaces too. There are plenty of benches dotted around for a break or just to take in the views. The open spaces are really flat which makes it a great place for a picnic, or to play some games. We played frisbee and the area was perfect for that. As with most National Trust areas a lot of the trees and flowers are labelled so if you want to have a look and see what everything is you will be able to.
The Deer park is a much larger and open spaced part of the property. You can choose to wander across some of the more open wooded areas, or you can walk the deer park paths, which in places you can't go off as you have the Deer Sanctuary areas which are left alone for the Deer. There is so much space to explore and the wide areas reminded us of Tatton Park. If you follow the defined path you will be able to walk all the way to the end of the estate and come back along another path where we did see some deer from a distance. There is lots to explore and plenty to climb over, run through and generally enjoy the outdoors.
All paths will lead you back to the Courtyard area, which is a good idea as you can get refreshed and have an Ice Cream before you head back to the reception area and have a look in the shop if you like.
Anything Else?
The car park at Dunham Massey is free and has lots of parking spaces. It's open daily from 9am-5:15pm (weekends) and 9:30am - 5:15pm. (weekdays)
Please check the individual opening times for the gardens, cafe, shop before you visit.
Well behaved dogs are welcome in the parkland (9.30am – 5pm) and gardens (12 noon – 5pm), but must be kept on a short lead at all times to protect the herd of deer.
Pre Booking tickets is essential.
Prices are
£8 per adult
£4 per child
£20 per family
There is plenty to see and do at Dunham Massey to keep you busy and makes a lovely day out.
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Michelle
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