Near
Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1LA
Telephone: 01629-812855 Fax: 01629-814379.
Website: www.haddonhall.co.uk
Member
of the Historic Houses Association. Haddon Hall is one of Britain's
last remaining 12th century fortified manor houses still in a
more-or-less fully preserved and unspoiled condition.
The ancestral home of the Dukes of Rutland, the Hall is strategically
placed on a limestone outcrop; its wooded hill overlooks the River
Wye and was ideal for ultimate defense. The approach to the hall
is via the 16th century stone bridge over the river. An inhabited
dwelling has existed on the present site since well before the
Domesday Survey of 1087, and successive generations of the Peverel,
Avenel, Vernon and Manners families have lived there with unbroken
residence until the late 19th century when it was abandoned, needing
a great deal of maintenance.
The 9th Duke returned in the early part of the 20th century and
devoted his life to its careful restoration. Over the years, many
new parts were added, and building as it stands represents around
500 years of architectural history. Then original land was granted
by William the Conqueror to William Peverel, his illegitimate
son who held it at the time of Domesday. None of that original
building remains. Present buildings date from 1170.
Haddon Hall still has virtually intact apartments, including the
kitchens, pantry and buttery, the Banqueting Hall, bedrooms, the
Long Gallery, the Chapel, and the Great Chamber. The cottage adjoining
the stable block has a beautiful walled garden with topiary work
of shaped yews in the form of a boars head and a peacock representing
the respective crests of the Vernon and Manners families.
There are guided tours around the Hall, which are well worth taking.
The property is noted for its tapestries and woodcarvings. The
gardens, through which the visitor exits from the house tour,
are noted for their many varieties of rose, and for its many old
fashioned flowers and herbs. A small museum on site displays artefacts
from the old building - coins, combs, small domestic objects,
etc.
LOCATION
About 2 miles south of Bakewell, well signposted on the A6 Buxton-Matlock
road. From Manchester, follow the A6 road via Stockport, Hazel
Grove, Disley, New Mills and Buxton. From Buxton follow signs
to Matlock, and as you approach Bakewell, Haddon Hall is well
signposted. Travel time is about 1½ hours, though Hazel
Grove and Bakewell can become very congested at peak holiday times,
and it can take considerably longer.
Opening
Times:
April: Saturday – Monday
Easter: Good Friday – Tuesday
May – Sept: Daily
October: Saturday – Monday.
Opening
hours: 12 noon – 5pm (last admission 4pm).
Admission:
(Please note that prices and times may
change over time - please check before setting out).
Adults £7.75. Concessions £6.75. Children £4.00.
Family (2 adults, 3 children) £20.00.
Groups:Adults £6.75. Concessions £5.75.
Guided tours by arrangement - £10.00 per person (minimum
charge £100).
Schools:
Children £3.50 (one adult free with every 10 children).
Extra adults £6.75.
Costume room £20.00 (per 20 children).
Free copy of resource pack on confirmation of booking.
Car Parking:
£1.00 per car
We welcome
all visitors, but please note that access for visitors with disabilities
and wheelchair users is very restricted. Please telephone in advance
for further information.
No dogs permitted
other than assistance dogs.
FACILITIES
Refreshments - morning coffee, lunches and afternoon teas in the
Stables Restaurant specialising in "home-made" produce and local
delicacies, with full meals and snacks available throughout opening
hours. Toilets. An attended Car Park (small parking charge) is
available outside the property across the busy A6 road. Banqueting
facilities by appointment, Clay pigeon shooting. The house is
virtually impossible for access by disabled persons, and the elderly
or people with walking difficulties are warned that the Hall is
difficult with steep stairs, rough cobbles and worn and uneven
stone floors.
