Haddon Hall: Great Surviver Of The Middle Ages
Haddon Hall is one of the country’s most elegant, historically important, and timeless stately homes.
The magnificent home is situated in the Peak District, in the valley of the River Wye.
With 900 hundred years of history, it is one of the oldest houses in the country and moreover one of the only houses in England to have remained in one family’s ownership for its entire existence.
Haddon is unique as it remained empty for nearly two hundred years.
This extraordinary period, when time stood still in the Hall, allowed it to remain unaltered during the modernising period of the Georgians and Victorians.
So venturing into Haddon is like stepping back in time, since from the 1700s the family preferred to live at their main seat, Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire.
Haddon is home to one of the oldest Medieval kitchens in England, retaining all its original features, including the stock pot, chopping boards, baking ovens, work tops and butchery.
The Medieval Banqueting Hall remains furnished with its original Dais table, behind which hangs a tapestry gifted to the family by visiting Henry VIII.
The Parlour boasts its glorious Tudor painted ceiling of Tudor roses and marvellous heraldic paneling.
Exquisite and very rare 15th century fresco seccos adorn the walls of the Medieval Chapel.
In contrast to the Tudor and Medieval Rooms below, the light and airy first floor Elizabethan rooms culminate in the spectacular 110ft Robert Smythson designed Long Gallery; reputed to be one of the most beautiful rooms in England.
The Long Gallery is furnished in fine Jacobean style, but for the painting of Haddon by Rex Whistler.
Windows from the 110 foot long gallery look out over the gardens, composed of terraced flower beds.
The wall paintings are especially worthy of note; they were made in the 14th century, then covered over with whitewash during the English Reformation.
Restoration work in the 20th century has brought them back to light, though the original bright colours are lost. Look for the three skeleton images, grinning bizarrely.
The terraced Elizabethan Walled Gardens, known for their beauty and structure, cascade down to the River Wye and providing spectacular views of the ancient parkland and Peak District beyond.
Recently re-designed by Chelsea Award winning garden designer, Arne Maynard, these make for an equally important part of any visit to the Hall.
Haddon’s Medieval Park is recognised as nationally significant through its inclusion on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
It’s also Grade 1 listed, the highest possible designation.
The Park, which reaches to 187 hectares, includes parkland, woodland, a significant stretch of the River Wye, water meadows, wetlands and former stretches of farmland.
Almost half of the park is particularly unusual, as it is land that has not been touched by agricultural systems for at least 900 years, making it of significant scientific and ecological interest.
In 2019, Haddon Estate received funding from Natural England and DEFRA for the continuation of its Medieval Parkland Restoration Plan, under an organic Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship scheme.
The intention is to complete the restoration of the parkland to its original 14th century plan, and to return the landscape to a naturally regenerative open woodland pasture, just as it would have been 700 years ago.
Filmmakers from around the world have chosen the iconic setting of Haddon Hall as the backdrop for their work, adding character, beauty, and authenticity to their productions.
Haddon’s mesmerising halls and original architecture, set against a backdrop of rolling hills, make it the perfect location for period pieces and romantic dramas.
No fewer than three different film adaptations of Jane Eyre have been filmed here, along with further high-profile productions such as Mary Queen of Scots, The Other Boleyn Girl, Pride & Prejudice and cult movie, The Princess Bride.
Today, the property is home to Lord and Lady Edward Manners, but it’s open to the public at various periods throughout the year.
And the reviews on TripAdvisor are great! One recent visitor said: “This is the best Tudor experience ever. Full of character. When you arrive it looks a little underwhelming, but, WOW!
”There is a lot to see. I wanted to hide & come out after the staff had gone. Could’ve sat next to the big open fire for hours. The staff are really interested & helpful. Best cheese scone ever in the cafe too!”
Another person added: “Utterly beautiful and truly a wonderful place to visit. Full of historical interest. Informative guides and helpful staff.
”Not suited to those with physical walking disabilities due to the many steps and uneven surfaces. This place is a real national treasure not to be missed.”
Entrance to Haddon Hall is through a gatehouse of weathered grey stone defended by an imposing tower.
Once past the gatehouse, the visitor sees a cobbled courtyard flanked by ranges presenting a jumble of Tudor and medieval styles with Jacobean embellishments.
During your visit, it’s also worth visiting their beautiful restaurant.
Their restaurant is situated in the 17th Century stable block adjacent to the Hall and provides wonderful views of the Hall and river.
With an extensive menu, the restaurant offers something for everyone.
The menu includes a freshly prepared breakfast, lunch, traditional Afternoon Tea or a simple and relaxing cup of freshly-ground coffee accompanied by a tempting treat from the cake counter.
The restaurant caters for a wide range of dietary requirements, with each menu using local seasonal produce carefully prepared by Head Chef Dean and his marvellous team.
If you’d like to visit, the address is: The Estate Office, Haddon Hall, Bakewell DE45 1LA.
We strongly recommend a visit if you’re exploring the Peak District!
In 1832, it was visited by Queen Victoria - she was Princess Victoria at the time and attended with her mother, The Duchess of Kent.
They very much enjoyed the tapestries during their visit, observing that the costumes were similar to those worn by some of the ladies in the royal suite.
Tickets can be purchased in advance via their website.
We believe tickets are worth around £20 per adult, but it’s worth checking their website as this may change depending on the season.
It’s worth noting that due to the age and nature of Haddon Hall access for visitors with restricted mobility, including wheel chair users, is very challenging with many uneven floors and steps without handrails.
Check out more photos of the beautiful hall below, taken from Haddon Hall’s Facebook page:
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