A Walk to The Pride And Prejudice pond, Lyme Park, Cheshire

On Sunday afternoon I drove across to Lyme Park in Disley. I parked on a narrow road opposite the main entrance and had a cheese and onion sandwich washed down with a frothy coffee. I had an ASDA Nutty bar and decided I'd only eat one when I reached a certain pond in the grounds behind Lyme Hall. Lots of walkers pass it not knowing it was the filming location for a seminal scene in the 1995 version of Pride And Prejudice.

I set off walking up the long drive and roamed around the extensive 1350 acre park. I passed within a few feet of a herd of Aberdeen Angus cows noting that not one looked up from eating. Perhaps its related to wind direction but everyone of them was facing in the same direction. Listening to a Pink Floyd concert I lapped behind the forest behind the hall itself and headed up to the pond. I was a little disappointed with myself: I'd left it all too late and the sky was darkening by the minute (the estate gates close at 4.30pm.) I headed to the pond knowing that once the sun dipped behind the tress any photos wouldn't come out. Thankfully I made it but I've had to use an editor to brighten some of these photographs.

Jane Austen's most famous novel Pride And Prejudice has been televised a few times but the 1995 version is probably the most popular. It's still the ultimate "happy ever after" novel of its type probably because it set the template for thousands of romance books and films that have followed. A pivotal scene features Mr Darcy bumping into Elizabeth Bennett after he’s been swimming in a pond (he's still wet even though still wearing linen shirt, breeches and boots.) Here I am at the pond where Mr Darcy undresses and dives in for a quick swim. So many people stroll passed the pond unknowingly. It's off a main walkers path about 500m behind Lyme Hall. I'm sure a wee plaque should be mounted near the pond telling geeks of its relevance.

I can remember my mum watching the tv series when it was screened on Sunday nights. I took a photo of her with me and showed her the pond, moreover the grass ledge on which Mr Darcy stood to prepare for the dive. After taking a few photographs I put on a fast walk back to the long winding drive that takes you back onto the main road. Lots of people on two legs and two wheels were doing them same. I made it back to the main gate at 4:25pm and there was a woman from the National Trust waiting to close up. I said there were still a few cars in the car park back at the hall and she said she'd have to "round them up" before locking the gate for good. Back at the car someone had tucked a leaflet under one of the windscreen wipers advertising a hog roast - a waste of 80gsm glossy A5 paper considering I stopped eating meat 35 years ago.