dunham massey hall & gardens

531stewartc

Had an afternoon to kill , and had been meaning to go to see the reconstruction of the 1st world war hospital. Wasn't disappointed , very well done , the recreation of the sounds and smells was very effective. Each room had a room guide who could tell you more if you wanted. Thought it was very clever to have the information on various articles, like the beds and pieces of equipment. And the sounds if patients breathing and coughing coming from the pillows was eerie. The upstairs of the house and gardens were also open. The library contains the first commission by the famous wood sculptor grinling gibbons ! The display of silver is also excellent. The servants quarters and "downstairs" is also very interesting. All in all well worth a visit.

missd2013

This is an absolutely beautiful place to visit, whether you're with a family, as a couple or even alone. The deer add a really lovely touch to this place, and the fact you can get so close to them is a real treat. Just watch out for their droppings on the grass!The tour of the gardens is a must - really beautiful and so many different things to see. The staff aren't the most helpful people on this earth, but what can you do about that, hey?!When we visited, they had turned it into the war hospital to commemorate 100 years since WW1, and the history was very interesting, although it could get a bit boring for kids. All in all, I would visit again. Take a picnic on a sunny day and you'll be sorted!

765LizC

What an amazing park and fabulous Georgian House. It is a National Trust Property.I went to see the WW1 hospital inside. It was brilliant. They did a great job showing and telling you the history. The house is set in such beautiful surroundings. A full day out and lots for the children to do. The gardens are stunning. The deer roam free around you

Odersfelt

Our visit on this occasion was to see the WW1 Hospital exhibition. This was excellent, with a re-creation of the ward, operating theatre and other rooms as they were in 1917 when the house was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers from the front, complete with sound effects and actors performing short scenes of hospital life. The rest of the house was also open for viewing and I was very pleased to see how much more there was to see since last time I went there (which was a long time ago, I admit, though I have visited the gardens several times). Talking of the gardens, these are beautiful. The snowdrops were almost over but in their place lots of daffodils were starting to bloom. There is a lovely deer park to walk in which stays open until evening and an ornamental stream and lake with ducks, swans etc. Aside from that, there is a shop, a small plant section and a nice cafe, toilets etc in the modern building complex at the entrance. Excellent day out. Well done National Trust!

mavissmallManchester

Reconstruction of 1st world war memorial hospital, until November 2015. Beautiful historic house and gardens and wonderful deer park.

tomk55

Fantastic WW1 exhibition when the house was used as a hospital, actors recreating actual patients and staff of the time. Interesting place to visit with grounds to explore

JanetS1603

What a wonderful experience visiting this National Trust property. The current WW1 hospital exhibition is moving and gives an insight of what it was actually like to be in this hospital either as a patient or part of the staff.All this with the backdrop of an amazing stately home with wonderful grounds.

Bill_Bones

Had a lively walk in the beautiful gardens today, followed by a fabulous lunch in The Stables. Not cheap food, but the quality, quantity and surroundings made it good value.A superb way to spend a springtime day.

731kevint

A beautiful park. But a bit expensive if your are not a national trust member. Cafe have great cakes but found the other meals very average and overpriced. The actual gardens are well maintained but I prefer to go to Tatton Park

SimonJ68_UK

The house was a hospital during WW1 and a lot of the rooms have been transformed back to how they looked 100 years ago. Alone this is very interesting, with loads to read and understand what it must have been like for the patients, nurses and owners.The wonder is though there is a "play" happening all around you. Actors dressed up as patients and staff appearing and having conversations and wandering off to other rooms. Very impressive and personally I have not seen anything like that before.The rest of the house is also superb, the kitchens especially - and seeing groups of school children dressed up and being taught how to lay tables and talk to the Lady of the house was excellent, and quite funny to be honest.Well worth a couple of hours, and we didn't even have time to look at the gardens.

NG0901

A most enjoyable and interesting day. The WW1hospital was very thought provoking and well resesrched. Overall a fulls days visit after seeing the upstairs rooms and the gardens.Well worth the visit.

Helen10001

Went with my sister, mum and son a couple of days go. I am not a National Trust member so at £12 for entry to the house it was a bit expensive.I found the hospital display to be a little poorer than expected, they needed to add more detail i.e. rather than tall metal spikes covered with white cloth have real dummies instead. The food was very average in the restaurant the wedges were overdone and stale and the lasagne was not fresh (I could tell by the texture).

Dsunshineseeker

The main reason we visited my favourite National Trust site was not in fact for the brilliant house but the famous winter gardens. If you are even slightly interested in plants or gardening this is definitely a place you ought to visit, but even more so in winter with its array of colour and bulbs! My favourites were the masses of snowdrops and iris reticulata (minis) amongst the trees and shrubs but more stunningly so amongst the White birches. I must also state the reason why this is my favourite. The house is stunning and different themes and events are occasionally held here. They use actors that sometimes interact with visitors and make the experience more enjoyable or understandable.

annmac211

Very impressed with the way the World War One hospital has been recreated, with real people acting out roles to help give atmosphere and reality to the setting. Also real stories from real heroes, well done. Snowdrop fields were beautiful with miniature irises in all colours. Food in the restaurant was really tasty and love the offers of half size proper dinners for children or those who prefer a good meal to a snack.

EnglishRose79

What a gorgeous property and grounds, but even more so what made this place particularly great to visit was the staff. From the cheary car park attendant to the welcome at the ticket desk we were made to feel like VIPs. I was particularly impressed with the actors in the hospital ward who brought history to life, and then the other various actors throught the building, the lnitting maids were a particular favourite as they interacted with visitors so well. A very interesting way of telling the storynof the proprty. Well done National Trust.