ADMISSION & ENTRY

Opening Times

The Mansion is open for guided tours from Sunday to Friday. Our daily tour timings are as follows:

11am, 11:45am, 12:30pm, 1:15pm and 2pm

All visits to the mansion are by guided tour only. You may wish to book your tour in advance to avoid disappointment. Although we save some tickets to be bought on the day, there may not be spaces left when you arrive. You can pre-book your tickets here or by telephone before arrival (during office hours). You part pay for your ticket and pay the remaining balance on entry.

Expected duration once inside: the Mansion tour lasts for 50 minutes and garden can be seen in 1 hour, There is plenty to see and indulging in your enthusiasm for marmalade, historic objects or our award winning garden means that you could spend all day at Dalemain.

Housekeepers Tour: The Secrets of Dalemain: Alongside the normal entry, we offer private, tailored tours which go behind the scenes including the historic beer cellar, objects, paintings, furniture and rooms not usually on show. These tours should be booked at least two weeks in advance. Get in touch for more information.

Garden Entry: The garden is open Sunday to Friday from 10:30am-4pm.

Tearoom & Shop Entry: The tearoom & shop are open Sunday to Friday from 10:30am-4pm.

Admission prices

Mansion & Garden: Adults £17.00 / Teenagers (12-16) £15.00 / Children under 12 FREE

Garden Only: Adults £12.00 / Teenagers (12-16) £10.00 / Children under 12 FREE

Historic Houses Members: FREE (except on special event days)

RHS Members: FREE access to the Gardens (Feb-Apr & Aug-Dec). Gardeners World 2 for 1 garden admission (Feb-Apr & Aug-Dec). Both £5.00 per person upgrade to include Mansion Tour.

Friend of Dalemain: £37 per person / £56 joint ticket for unlimited access to the garden, mansion and so much more. Ask a member of staff for further information.

Twelve Gardening Reasons to become a Friend of Dalemain : Get an annual pass to enter the garden and mansion, join us at special events including our annual Friends of Dalemain Garden Party in June and receive discounts and first option on ticketed events.

Accessibility

Car parking is free. People who find it harder to walk, including those who are disabled, from their car to the tearoom are encouraged to drive into the courtyard and park their car. The courtyard area has grade one listed cobbles and can be quite uneven.

There is partial disabled access only which is reflected in the entry fee. Inside the Mansion, there is no access to the first floor except via the stairs which are a steep historic spiral staircase and so limits access. The gardens are accessible, apart from the Low Garden, to wheeled vehicles. Please note gravel paths can be uneven.

A mobility scooter is available – it is advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Disabled toilets are available.

FAQs

Are children welcome?

Yes! Whether they are interested in history or enjoy a day out there is something for them. From Mrs Mouse’s house inside to the garden where there is a sleeping earth giantess, topiary dragon and special children’s garden.

Are there any discounts?

Yes, we are a member of Historic Houses and offer free entry to all members. We are also an RHS Partner Garden, and offer free entry at various times of the year to RHS members. There is discounted entry for members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, the Camping and Caravanning Club and through Gardener’s World. You could also become a Friend of Dalemain

Those assisting people in wheelchairs go free and there are discounted or free tickets for children depending on their age.

Can I bring my dog inside?

Dogs are not permitted in the historic gardens or mansion, however they are welcome in the tearoom, courtyard and there is a good walk along the Church Road to Dacre.

Is the mansion and garden as good as they say?

Yes.

Why is there so much marmalade?

Dalemain and marmalade have become stuck together since the Marmalade Awards and Festival was set up in 2005. There is a marmalade museum, delicious range of marmalades for sale and of course the annual and globally recognised awards & festival.

How do I get there?

Dalemain is 3 miles from Junction 40 on the M6 via A66 and A592 towards Ullswater. Should you wish to come here by rail, the closest railway station is Penrith, a ten minute car ride from Dalemain. Taxi’s are parked directly outside the station.