Lyveden
The unfinished masterpiece with a romantic past
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The beautiful, Grade 1 listed, manor house at Lyveden is just the start of your journey into this small, but perfectly formed National Trust attraction.
The ‘New Bield’ part of Lyveden has been open to the public for many years. Commonly mistaken for a ruin, it is actually a lodge that was never completed when its creator, Thomas Tresham, died in 1605. Since then it has stood empty and unfinished, passing through many different owners until it was donated to the National Trust in 1922. In 2013, the National Trust also acquired Lyveden Manor, where the Tresham family lived. It was Thomas Tresham’s vision to create a beautiful walk through a water garden to the completed lodge, where he could celebrate his faith. Unfortunately, religious persecution and debt meant that Tresham’s dreams went unrealised. Now, the manor house is a café, visitor centre and bookshop. ‘The project had been in the pipeline since the National Trust purchased the Manor,’ says Jennifer Hatton, Property Operations Manor at Lyveden. ‘The redevelopments began in late 2019 and we installed a new car park, café, visitor facilities, interpretation and exhibition area. We re-opened to the public in June 2021 with great feedback from our visitors. This year has been the busiest to date at Lyveden and we’re so pleased to see so many visitors able to enjoy the re-imagined site.’ The new centre is a great place to begin and end your visit, but it is at the New Bield itself where the magic of the property is found. Entering through what would have been the servant’s entrance, you immediately get a sense of what the building should have been like. The open roof and mapped out fireplaces laid across three floors are all visible to see. Thanks to a posthumously installed spiral staircase and platform, visitors are able to experience the carefully planned view from one of the upper bay windows. Throughout the New Bield are indications of the purpose of the lodge. A large hall for entertaining and bedrooms for guests. Ovens and a huge fireplace in the servant’s hall. Most interesting of all is the historic graffiti that covers nearly every wall. Dating back to the 17th, 18th and 19th century, this graffiti was used by visitors in a romantic fashion, to record that they had been to pay their respects to the building. Today, the property is a fantastic place for walking, and the site is dog friendly with the exception of upstairs in the manor house. There are also regular events for adults and children. ‘We have our annual Easter Egg Trail running from 4th-13th April,’ says Jennifer. ‘In May half term we are running a nature hunt where children can help Squirrel Holmes eliminate suspects to discover who stole the gardener’s biscuits! We will also be running craft workshops on the Tuesday and Thursday of half term (30th May and 1st June). Our new art exhibition: ‘Views on Lyveden’ will be running, in partnership with students from Tresham College, until 31st October.’ If you want to extend your visit, or recommend a place to stay for family and friends, the old tearooms has now been turned into a luxury holiday let, too. Lyveden is open daily from 10am–5pm. For more information head to: nationaltrust.org.uk |
Issue 17
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