Jane Austen anniversary marked at Lyme

Monday 17 July to Sunday 23 July 2017

The 200^th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death will be commemorated at Lyme from 17 – 23 July with a week of special events. The National Trust attraction in Disley is the fitting place to celebrate Austen’s life as Lyne was placed firmly in the Jane Austen story when scenes for the BBC’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice were filmed at the property. Lyme will be turning back the clock this July to allow visitors to experience the Regency period, the era in which Jane would’ve first put her words on page, through live music, performances, Regency regalia and afternoon tea.

Photo © Alexandra Robinson

Caroline Heap, Lyme’s Visitor Experience Manager said, ‘Tuesday 18 July marks a key anniversary in the life and times of this remarkable writer and we wanted to play our part in celebrating this literary hero. Her iconic novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’ remains one of Britain’s best loved books and especially dear to us at Lyme, the home of Pemberley and the scene of Mr Darcy in that iconic wet shirt scene. Commemorating this great Regency scholar also allows us to tell Lyme’s other stories this year, as we celebrate explorer Thomas Legh, who loved and developed Lyme in the Regency era when Jane would’ve been writing. Thomas was an exciting lover of adventure who came into his fortune young, just like Mr. Darcy!’

Included in the programme of events will be a one-woman show called Jane Austen at Home consisting entirely of Jane’s words, devised and directed by Stephen Siddall. The performance will reveal the variety and wit of Jane’s writing, full of warm hearted, perceptive and often humorous observations of life in the early nineteenth century. An expert from the Jane Austen Society will also be giving insightful talks on how Austen’s classic novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’ came to be written. For specific dates and times of performances visitors are encouraged to check the website.

To truly embrace all things Regency the Salting Room Tea Parlour at Lyme will be inviting visitors to sit back, relax and enjoy a their Regency Afternoon Teas. Visitors arriving to ‘take tea’ in Regency dress will be given free park entry on the day.

Jane Austen Week at Lyme runs from 17 – 23 July 2017, vehicle admission applies, cars £8, National Trust members park free. All events must be pre-booked via the website. Details and full programme at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lymepark

For afternoon tea bookings call 01663 761400.

Distant view of the South Front of Lyme Park, designed by Giacomo Leoni and constructed 1729-1732, with lake in the foreground.