THE HOME OF THE WORLD’S

ORIGINAL MARMALADE AWARDS

WINS PRESTIGIOUS GARDEN OF THE YEAR AWARD 2013

DALEMAIN MANSION & HISTORIC GARDENS, LAKE DISTRICT

SPONSORED BY THE HISTORIC HOUSES ASSOCIATION AND CHRISTIE’S

The charming English gardens of Dalemain, nestled in the Lake District, have won the 2013 Garden of the

Year Award sponsored by the Historic Houses Association and Christie’s. This prestigious national award,

now in its 29th year, is designed to recognise the importance of gardens with outstanding horticultural and

public appeal, either in their own right or as the setting for an historic house.

Charles Cator, Chairman Christie’s International said: “Christie‟s is delighted to sponsor the Garden of the

Year Award in association with the Historic Houses Association and is thrilled that this significant award has been given to

such a well-deserved winner as Dalemain. Each year the award reveals a national treasure and this year is no different”.

Richard Compton, President of the Historic Houses Association said: “I am delighted that the beautiful

gardens at Dalemain have won this prestigious award. Jane Hasell-McCosh is a hands-on gardener who has followed in the

steps of her mother-in-law, Sylvia McCosh, in altering and adapting the gardens and introducing new areas of planting and

many rare and unusual herbaceous species. Supported by a small but expert team of gardeners, some volunteers, Jane has made

the garden accessible to a wide range of visitors and especially children”.

P R E S S R E L E A S E | L O N D O N

F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E : 2 5 M a r c h 2 0 1 3

40 years of preserving and promoting historic houses 1973-2013

Dalemain mansion and historic gardens are set against the grandeur and picturesque splendour of the

Lakeland Fells and Parkland. This Mediaeval, Tudor and early Georgian house and flourishing gardens

have been home to the same family since 1679. Behind the impressive pink, ashlar sandstone façade one

discovers the real surprise of Dalemain – its rich and established array of horticultural delights. The name

Dalemain means 'manor in the valley' and there has been a settlement on these grounds since Saxon times.

The first recorded mention of a building on the site is of a fortified pele tower in the reign of Henry II; one

of a chain of towers built to protect the country. In the 14th century, the manor hall with a second tower

was added and in the 16th century two wings housing kitchen and living quarters, one on either side of the

main building, were built. The impressive sandstone Georgian front was completed in 1744, enclosing a

central courtyard between the new and the old section of the house.

The historic gardens were formerly used to produce healing and culinary herbs for the house, prior to the

arrival of Sir Edward Hasell who bought the estate in the 1680s. Sir Edward and his wife, Dorothy Hasell

set out to create a more architectural and fashionable garden, whilst still keeping an exuberant and

abundant atmosphere that was also fragrant and long-lasting.

Mrs. Jane Hasell-McCosh, owner of Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens said: “I am delighted to

have received this prestigious award which recognises the hard work over many years by a dedicated team of people who have

helped me to love and care for the garden. My dream has been to make it a place for anyone and everyone. It is unique in its

position, nestled in the Lake District, with extraordinary views of the fells and grounded in so much history. Visitors love

coming here not only because of its huge variety of interesting plants that have been cultivated over generations of my family, but

also to find peace and solace in this serene corner of Cumbria. Along with the Marmalade festival, the garden is my passion

and it continues to develop and change never standing still from year to year, with a plethora of new ideas and plans.”

The Abies Cephalonica, planted in the 1840s by Mrs. Dorothea Hasell, was given as a seedling by Joseph

Banks - a plant collector who sailed on the Endeavor with Captain Cook. The Abies Cephalonica is now

the oldest and largest specimen in the United Kingdom, measuring 85 feet high and 19 feet wide.

The five-acre gardens set against the grandeur of the Lakeland Fells and parklands date back to the 17th

century with richly planted Herbaceous Borders, along with intriguing and unusual combinations of flowers.

The extensive parklands connect the house to the magnificent surrounding landscape. Primarily south

facing, the gardens rarely suffer from drought due to high rainfall in Cumbria.

The thriving Terrace Border, which welcome visitors on their arrival to Dalemain overlooks the

Cumbrian countryside and has evolved over many years. The Border over-flows with architectural plants

which include Crambe Cordifolia with sweet honey-scented white flowers, Cynara Cardunculus covered in

beautiful silver-grey leaves, that produce large purple thistle head flowers during August, as well as

Symphytum uplandicum variegatum – Jane’s favourite plant from the whole garden, with large leaves and

nodding clusters of tubular flowers. The Terrace Border is a popular place for visitors to admire the views

across the gardens to the grandeur of the far distant Lakeland hills, which are part of the beautiful estate.

“I‟ve been working in the garden at Dalemain for 15 years. I started by working as a guide in the house for one season, and

then moved into the garden. It‟s a wonderful garden to work in with a strong sense of place, very tranquil and full of history.

It has changed in many ways over the time although remains essentially the same. The period of interest has grown so that it is

beautiful from snowdrops and aconites right through the summer until the frosts, and we have spent much thought and energy

in putting together a good combination of plants. I‟ve been very lucky to work with many amazing people, both staff and

volunteers who have all helped to make the garden so special… „The best thing about this job is the pleasure the garden gives

to so many people including me,” said Rose Harper, Head Gardener of Dalemain.

The Tudor Knott Garden is thriving with

tightly coiled rows of manicured box hedges

which surround a graceful fountain in the

centre. This garden is also home to a unique

selection of delicate flowers, including

Nicotiana, Antirrhinum, Purple Sage and Viola

Cornuta Alba. During the summer, a visit to

Dalemain’s Low Gardens is highly

recommended as the arresting display of

deep-blue Himalayan poppies, (Meconopsis

grandis Dalemain), will be in full bloom. They

are famous for their striking colour. These charming beds of exotic Poppies can be seen flourishing from

mid-May to mid-June. The original poppy plant was formerly given to Sylvia McCosh, Jane Hasell-

McCosh’s mother-in-law, by George Sheriff who had discovered the seedlings growing in Bhutan in 1934.

The garden features almost 30 different types of 18th and 19th century named ancient apple trees, which are

used in the Tearoom’s delicious recipes, from soups to apple pies. The fruit harvested are stored on

Victorian shelves in the 16th century grotto above the Dacre Beck at the top of the garden.

The central focus of the garden is the old-fashioned roses. Visitors can enjoy a bountiful vision of roses

throughout the warmer months from May until August. The Rose Walk is filled with more than 150

different varieties of classic roses with climbers under-planted with shrub roses; they are so densely planted

they resemble woven fabrics. During the mid-summer, there is a plethora of colour and intoxicating

fragrance of lemon, nutmeg and cinnamon.

At the top of the rose walk, the graceful 18th century Gazebo built into the garden wall, is almost hidden

by a flowing waterfall of Clematis tangutica by the late summer. In the courtyard, the 16th century

Elizabethan barn includes a plant centre, which stocks a fine selection of plants and roses propagated in

the gardens.

Situated through an inviting doorway, The Stumpery at Dalemain boasts a magnificent collection of

nobbly and knarled 200-year-old oak stumps gathered from around the estate. They are particularly

beautiful in the speckled shade of the newly planted beech trees but are equally remarkable during the

winter months. This area can be found in Lob’s Wood, an atmospheric woodland garden developed by

Gertrude Hasell when she lived at Dalemain in the 1920s.

Mrs. Hasell-McCosh developed the Children’s Garden in 1993 for the enjoyment of

her young children and their friend’s. The majority of the plants were named after

animals for their amusement, with Bear's Breeches, Snapdragon, Hound‟s Tongue, Foxglove

and Harebell.

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MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

Presentation of the award to Dalemain Historic Gardens and informal Garden Tour:

On: Friday 17 May 2013

At: 11am

RSVP: Amber Hailes, Christie’s Press Office

Tel: 020 7389 2391 email: ahailes@christies.com

Contact: Christie’s Press Office Amber Hailes 020 7389 2391 Historic Houses Association Samantha Jay 020 7932 1847

DALEMAIN MANSION & HISTORIC GARDENS

Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens

Dalemain Estate Office

Dalemain, Penrith, Cumbria

CA11 0HB

Telephone: (017684) 86450

Email: admin@dalemain.com

Website: www.dalemain.com

Historic Garden Opening Information

SPRING - SUMMER

Sunday 24 March 2013 – Thursday 31 October Sunday to Thursday

Gardens Tea Room & Gift Shop 10:30am – 5:00pm (4pm in October)

House Opens 11:15am for guided tour House Opens for free flow 11:45am

Closes 4pm (3pm in October)

WINTER

Sunday 3 November – Wednesday 18 December Sunday to Thursday

Tearoom and Gardens only 11am to 3pm

Closed 18 December until mid-February

CHRISTIE’S About Christie’s Christie’s, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2012 that totaled £3.92 billion/$6.27 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War and Contemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales totaled £631.3 million/$1 billion in 2012, an increase of 26% on the same period last year. Christie’s has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, and Hong Kong. More recently, Christie’s has led in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the Middle East, with successful sales, exhibitions and initiatives in Moscow, Baku, Beijing, Mumbai, Delhi, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai. For further information please contact Christie’s Press Office, Tel: 020 7389 2664 Visit Christie’s website at www.christies.com

THE HISTORIC HOUSES ASSOCIATION The Historic Houses Association (HHA) represents the interests of Britain’s historic houses, castles and gardens that remain in private ownership. These owners make a very substantial contribution to the preservation of Britain’s heritage and to rural economies through tourism and other commercial activities. Currently representing over 1500 members, the HHA is an association of these owners which exists to assist the people who own important properties with the special range of challenges and problems they face. The ‘Garden of the Year’ award is designed to reflect public enjoyment of gardens rather than specialised historical or botanical interest. FRIENDS OF THE HISTORIC HOUSES ASSOCIATION The winner of the ‘Garden of the Year’ award is decided through the votes of the HHA’s 34,000 Friends. The Friends scheme gives free access to around 300 HHA houses, castles and gardens which open on a regular basis. For a single subscription of £43.50 Friends also receive the HHA’s quarterly magazine and can join organised outings in the UK and overseas, often to houses which are not open to the public. For further information please contact: Peter Sinclair - Tel: 020 7259 5688 or Visit the HHA’s website at www.hha.org.uk