Dalemain

Dalemain is a country house in Dacre that blends medieval foundations with later Georgian additions, creating a structure that shows different building styles side by side. The main building encloses a central courtyard surrounded by outbuildings and farm structures that remain part of the working estate.

The site began as a Saxon settlement and later became a fortified tower before the Hasell family bought and transformed it in 1679. Subsequent centuries brought continuous improvements and changes that reflected shifting ideas about comfort and style.

The collections inside show furniture, ceramics and artworks from different periods that reflect how landed families lived over the centuries. Visitors can observe how tastes and domestic styles evolved through generations.

The house opens to visitors from spring through autumn and offers guided tours of the rooms and access to the gardens and cafe. Plan to spend enough time exploring both the interior and outdoor spaces, especially if you want to look at the collections without rushing.

The house hosts the World's Original Marmalade Awards each year, a competition that draws marmalade makers from around the world and has run since 2005. This unusual event has made the place a gathering point for marmalade enthusiasts from many countries.