At 900 years old, Haddon Hall has been owned by the same family for its entire existence and is regarded as one of the most important historic houses in the UK.
A magnificent stately home in Bakewell, Derbyshire, Haddon Hall is one of a kind. Closed off from the world for 200 years, its locked doors conserved a secret network of rooms dating from the 14th to the 16th Centuries. Uninhabited from the reign of Queen Anne to the late 19th Century, its exquisite interiors were left untouched and unaltered – perfectly encapsulating what life was like all those all years ago.
While the family instead resided at their main seat, Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, Haddon Hall was saved from the modernising trends of the Georgians and Victorians. Among its treasure trove, it boasts the oldest Medieval kitchens in England; a Medieval banqueting hall with an original Dais table and tapestry gifted by Henry VIII; a beautiful Tudor parlour and a Medieval Chapel still adorned with rare 15 Century fresco seccos.
Inside the parlour, you can admire an original Tudor painted ceiling, adorned with Tudor roses and heraldic panels. Elsewhere, juxtaposing the Tudor and Medieval Rooms of the ground floor, the 110ft Elizabethan long gallery of the first floor is illuminated by large windows and decorated with intricate wooden panelling. Proclaimed to be one of the most beautiful rooms in England, it’s a must-see during your visit.
As well as the fascinating interiors, the grounds of Haddon Hall spread out across 3,800 acres of Derbyshire land. A place of intrigue and delight, the recently re-designed terraced Elizabethan Walled Gardens are a particular favourite amongst visitors. Renowned for their beauty and style, the gardens tumble down towards the River Wye and afford incredible views of the estate’s ancient parkland, 600 acres of woodland and the Peak District beyond.
If you are tempted by a day or few hours of exploration at Haddon Hall, you will be able to benefit from a programme of guided walks and talks in the house, gardens and parkland. There’s a museum, gift shop, restaurant and café, and for added appeal, the Hall even hosts artisan markets and a wide variety of events throughout the year, including everything from children’s play to photography days to live performances.
Haddon Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1LA | 01629 812 855 | www.haddonhall.co.uk
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