Haddon Hall
Haddon Hall, Derbyshire
Haddon Hall in Derbyshire is a stately home with a long history.
The residence and gardens are owned by the Duke of Rutland. They are close to Chatsworth House and near to the small town of Bakewell.
History
The origins of the house go back to the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century. William Peverel, who built the nearby Peveril Castle, was first granted the surrounding lands by William the Conqueror. The Chapel dates from this early period.
Later the property passed via the Crown to the Vernon family, once retainers of the Peverels.
They much enlarged the house and were to become a prominent family in English politics and government.
The Long Gallery was added later in the 16th century, as was fashionable at the time.
An interesting historical aside is the supposed elopement of Dorothy Vernon with John Manners in the 16th century. They ran away during a ball, so the story goes, over a stone bridge over the River Wye that can still be seen from the garden.
Fortunately, the lovers were soon reconciled with Dorothy's father and inherited the house.
In the early 18th century the 9th Earl decamped to Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire and Haddon Hall was left virtually deserted.
This explains its historical importance today, as it remains a virtually intact 16th century manor house, which has few rivals in the UK.
Most Tudor manor houses in the UK were reworked in later centuries and therefore lost their original features. Haddon Hall is one of the few that did not.
Architecture
The house is arranged around two courtyards. The upper courtyard contains the Eagle Tower and the Long Gallery.
The lower courtyard houses the Chapel, with the Great Hall situated between the two.
The original 12th century gardens are at the back of the house. They consist of a herb and vegetable garden and a rose garden, both enclosed with stone walls for protection from the elements.
The grounds we see today were created by the gardener Robert Smythson, who adapted them to complement the Long Gallery in the 1580's.
The rose garden was planted in the 1930's by the 9th Duchess and recently redesigned by Anne Maynard.
Events at Haddon Hall
The hall now plays hosts to several events throughout the year. These include musical concerts, weddings and other social functions.
Artisan markets at the hall offer creations by local artisans and makers. Markets are held in July and November.
Several films (Jane Eyre, Elizabeth, Pride & Prejudice, Firebrand) and numerous TV dramas have been shot using Haddon Hall as a location.
There are free guided tours of the hall and gardens by volunteers from March until September.
There is a restaurant on the property which offers lunch and afternoon tea.
The Peacock at Rowsley Hotel offers 15 elegantly-styled rooms set within the Haddon Estate.
Access - Getting to Haddon Hall
Haddon Hall
The Estate Office
Bakewell
Derbyshire
DE45 1LA
Tel: 01629 812 855
www: haddonhall.co.uk
Opening times vary according to the season. Consult the website above for full details.
Admission For House & Garden
Adults 23.90 GBP (2023 price)
Access
The house is a 25 minute drive from the M1 motorway. By car it is also 30 minutes from Sheffield and an hour from both Derby and Nottingham.
From both Manchester Airport and East Midlands Airport journey time is around 75 minutes depending on traffic.
There are Transpeak bus services from Bakewell, Buxton, Sheffield and Matlock. (TP, 218, X18)
Haddon Hall makes for an easy day trip from both nearby Manchester and Stockport.
Nearby
Other places to see within easy reach of Haddon Hall include Bakewell (10 minutes), Matlock, the Hope Valley, Peveril Castle, the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton (25 minutes), Castleton, Eyam Hall, Eyam Stocks and the outdoor sports resort of Hathersage.
The gardens at Chatsworth House are within 15 minutes by car.
Hotels in the UK
Book Hotels in England - Booking.com
Find Accommodation in London - Booking.com
Search Hotels in Scotland - Booking.com
Hotels in Northern Ireland - Booking.com