Underscar Manor, Cumbria
 |  | England's Most Northerly VineyardBacked by the towering splendour of Skiddaw, and with a view to the south of Derwent Water, Cat Bells and Causey Pike, the magnificent C19th mansion of Underscar Pike was built for William Oxley, a Liverpool textile merchant. It has passed through several hands, including those of Alexander Mineev, a Russian Oligarch who died suddenly in 2014. It is now owned by Jonathan Brown of Maryport, who has devoted many years to restoring it to its former glory. In 2017, the south-south-west facing field was planted with a vineyard. Such faith in vines demonstrates the climate change that allows development of vines in what is now the furthest site north in England. This claim has only been beaten once- at Whitworth Hall in County Durham. And that vineyard has now gone. It adds to a tradition of luxury hotels that planted vines in the late C20th. The nearest remaining is at Carden Park in Cheshire. The house itself is now a luxury hotel, with space for photo shoots, weddings etc. It will soon be able to add to its wine list with the local product.Full details are available from the manor website Vineyard details |
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