Fans of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice are in for a treat because the National Trust has just made one of the properties used to film the BBC’s iconic mini-series available as a holiday let.
The Lyme Estate in Cheshire, which many will recognise as Pemberley, aka heartthrob Mr. Darcy’s enormous stately home from the TV series, is now open to visitors – with Austen (and Colin Firth) fans now able to stay the night and live out their own Regency romance.
The National Trust, which owns the property, has made a former gamekeeper’s cottage on the estate known as Lyme East House available to let for short getaway breaks.
A short walk from the grand manor house that acted as the backdrop for the cult TV series, the cottage can be rented for two-night stays with prices starting from £315 in September.
The two-bedroom Edwardian property accommodates a maximum of four guests and two dogs, an added bonus for Austen fans with pets.
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Image: National Trust
Image: National Trust
As for entertainment, aside from living out your own personal Mr Darcy romance (although taking a dip in the lake to recreate the series’ most famous wet-shirted scene is not recommended) visitors can also stroll the grounds, tickle the ivories on the cottage piano, and watch the red deer gallivanting in the grounds.
You can promenade through the rose gardens arm in arm, as well as exploring the ravine garden and the estate’s many herbaceous borders, not to mention enjoying free access to the Lyme Estate where a large amount of the iconic 1995 TV series was filmed.
Nearby, there is also the Timber Yard Coffee Shop to be explored for tea, coffee, and cake, and a restaurant that is open for lunch daily.
Image: National Trust
Image: National Trust
A description of the Lodge reads as follows: “Swap grey window views for vast panoramas of green countryside and roaming red deer. You’ll be nestled on the eastern boundary of Lyme’s 1,400 acre historic deer park when you stay in this two-bedroom Edwardian cottage. It overlooks the moorland plateau of Kinder Scout and the historic cage banqueting tower, which was used as a 16th-century hunting lodge.
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“Inside the sandstone house you’ll find an inviting space with spacious rooms that retain some of their original features. It can also accommodate your dogs too. There’s a garden at the rear of the cottage for pup to stretch his legs.
“Take advantage of free access to the Lyme estate. Explore the many walking trails or visit the main house where the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice was filmed.
“If you want to delve further into the moorlands and craggy terrains of the Peak District, a 20 minute drive will take you into the heart of the National Park. Or for the spa town of Buxton is just a 35 minute drive from here.”
Just as they did for the rumoured dates, the experts at SeatPick have gone on to analyse the average cost of accommodation in Manchester on the now-confirmed concert nights in June 2027 to see how much out-of-town fans may have to part with.
It was revealed that hotel prices have surged by 659% on Oasis’ opening night at the Etihad Stadium on 4 June 2027, while on the first weekend (5 and 6 June) of tour dates, they’ve soared by up to 462% and are, on average, 98% higher than a weekday price.
Overall, the analysis uncovered that 12 June has the most expensive average two-star hotel cost at £253, while the highest average five-star hotel is £409 for the night on 19 June.
“Our analysis uncovered an enormous markup for local accommodation on nights that Oasis is rumoured to perform in Manchester,” explained Gilad Zilberman, who is the CEO at ticket platform SeatPick.
“Being aware of these accommodation costs and additional expenses can help fans plan and avoid being caught off guard by inflated prices on concert nights.
“To find the best deals on hotels, concertgoers should scan budget chains in the city or look slightly outside of the centre in hotspots served by local bus routes or regional trains, such as Salford and Trafford.
“Booking early might also be beneficial for fans dedicated to seeing the band perform.
“You can opt for free cancellation options, in case rumoured dates change, or you’re no longer able to attend.”
Featured Image – Joshua Halling (Supplied)
Travel & Tourism
Drinks prices revealed as Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub opens inside T2
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Manchester Airport’s first-ever JD Wetherspoon pub has officially opened its doors inside Terminal 2.
The 300-seater pub – which welcomed its first customers earlier this week – is named The Belle Vue after Manchester’s historic showground.
Throughout the pub, you’ll spot design features that nod to the city’s sporting heritage – including vintage event posters and memorabilia, a ‘locker wall’ hosting trophies and other sporting exhibits, and a cricket-themed design in the carpets and bar panels.
Creating around 150 jobs in the process, The Belle Vue is the final planned new eatery to open in the airport’s redeveloped Terminal 2, marking one of the final steps in the super-terminal’s decade-long, £1.5bn transformation.
Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub has opened inside Terminal 2 / Credit: Supplied
According to the MEN, pints are priced from £6.20 for Carling and Coors lager, £6.45 for Budweiser, £6.60 for Guinness, and £6.70 for Poretti and 1664 Biere.
Prosecco is £9.20 for 175ml glass and £37.10 for the full bottle, while spirts and mixers are £6.80 for singles and £10.20 for doubles.
There’s also the classic Wetherspoons tea and coffee machines, where you can refill as many times as you like for just £3.60.
“It’s a proud moment to see the final new retail unit opening in our new-look Terminal 2,” commented Richard Jackson, who is the Retail Director at Manchester Airport.
“To be rounding off this 10-year programme by adding such an iconic name as Wetherspoon to the terminal is particularly special and we know that it will prove extremely popular with passengers. We think they’ll love the nods to Manchester’s heritage in the décor and design – and of course the name.”
Georgina Pellant -
7th August 2023 
