An autumn stroll with Darcy and Elizabeth

A quarter of a century ago Colin Firth took a swim and plunged Cheshire’s Lyme Park into global fame

- Rachael Walker

It is a truth universally acknowledged that when Lyme Park made its debut as Pemberley in the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice, no one could have predicted that 25 years later it would still be the must-see location for Jane Austen fans. Devotees from across the world visit Lyme each year to walk in the footsteps of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy – and the 1,400-acre National Trust estate is happy to welcome them.

Lyme Park is the perfect place for a walk at any time of year. In autumn, however, there is something very special about this small corner of Cheshire, nestling on the edge of the Peak District with its wild moorland and far-reaching views across the county, Manchester and beyond. As the temperatures cool and the days get shorter, the changing colours of the woodland canopies create the perfect backdrop for the iconic scenes we recognise in Pride and Prejudice.

There are two routes where you can experience the different parts of Pemberley. One takes in the peaceful surroundings o the garden, passing many of the locations Pride and Prejudice aficionados will be familiar with, such as the moment Elizabeth Bennet arrives by carriage and sees for the first time the home of the man she has rejected. The second takes you further afield, exploring the wider estate with the contrasting colours of autumnal woodland to catch your eye, leading you to the iconic Darcy’s Pond.