Dunham Massey

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Dunham Massey, Cheshire

Dunham Massey

Where is it – England, North West England

Who looks after it –  National Trust 

What is it –  Garden, House, Park 

When is it from – Georgian, Stuart

Dunham Massey is an enormous estate and a mansion, dating from 1616, much altered since and built on the site of an earlier manor house and castle. The wider estate actually dates from a medieval deer park. The mansion is packed with treasures, including a significant collection of silver and notable works of art. The entire estate was given to the National Trust by the 10th, and last, Earl of Stamford, including the 300 acre park (with deer) and sumptuous gardens. The families that lived at Dunham Massey, principally the Booths and the Greys, have an interesting history, including the denial of inheritance to an heir of mixed race.

The house was used as a hospital during WW1 and by the military during WW2, when there was a US training camp and then a POW camp in the grounds. SOE Agents were also based there when doing parachute training. In 2020, in a sudden fit of guilt, the National Trust famously and suddenly removed a sundial held up by the kneeling statue of a blue-eyed African man that had been situated outside one of the entrances to the house for almost 300 years.

 


Address
Woodhouse Lane, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4SJ 

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