Dalemain, set in peaceful countryside near the foot of Allswater, is a fine mixture of medieval, Tudor and early-Georgian architecture.
The ancient origins of the house are concealed by an imposing early-Georgian facade of local pink sandstone.
Dalemain has four ranges surrounding a small courtyard. The oldest part of the house, an early-15th century pele-tower and a hall, are on the north side.
The hall was floored over in the 16th century and and a kitchen was later added to the east.
In 1679 the Dalemain estate was purchased by Edward Hasell, steward to the powerful Lady Anne Clifford of nearby Brougham Castle. Hasell created the terrace gardens to the west of the house.
In 1745 his son, also Edward Hasell, completed work on the west and south (entrance) ranges, with well-proportioned classical facades. These contained a new suite of reception rooms and the older buildings, hidden behind the classical facades, were converted into servants' quarters and spare bedrooms.
Since that time the property has remained in the hands of the same family and during this period there have been few major changes to the building. Dalemain, approached through an outer courtyard flanked by farm buildings, is still very much a family home.
The house contains a fine collection of china, furniture and portraits accumulated by the family since 1679.
The reception rooms have late-17th and early-18th century furniture and pictures. The Entrance Hall has a cantilevered oak staircase and displays a large view of the Piazzetta at Venice by Marieschi.
The Chinese Drawing Room has hand-painted wallpaper, dating from the 1750s and a wooden Rococo chimneypiece. Although the main Drawing Room still has its original plain wooden panelling the Dining Room next door was remodelled in 1785.
A spiral staircase in the pele-tower leads to a series of bedroom over the medieval hall. The Fretwork Room has a late-16th or early-17th century plaster ceiling and contains items relating to Lady Anne Clifford.
Dalemain's gardens date back to a medieval herb garden.
Features include a knot garden, an early Roman fountain and herb beds surrounded by box hedges. The gardens provide views of the park and woodland and the visitor can enjoy riverside walks.
2008: 23Mar-23Oct: Sun-Thur House opens 11:15 for first guided tour, House opens for free flow in the afternoon. Closes: 16:00
Tel: 017684 86450 Dalemain Website
