Peak District National Park

Haddon Hall

Haddon Hall dates mostly from the 14th and 15th centuries. Originally owned by the descendants of William the Conqueror’s illegitimate son, Peverel, it was passed through marriage to the Manners family, later to become Dukes of Rutland, in whose possession it has remained. Haddon Hall remained closed and empty for a period of 200 years until brought to life by the 9th Duke of Rutland in the 1920`s. It contains a magnificent Banqueting Hall and an oak panelled Long Gallery, 110ft in length and 17ft wide. This many windowed room has diamond panes set at different angles to maximise the amount of daylight entering.

Haddon Hall has a magnificent collection of English, Flemish and French tapestries, a small remainder of a once far larger collection decimated by fire in 1925. The most important in the collection are five early 17th century English tapestries which may have once belonged to King Charles I.

The kitchen complex is one of the most fascinating parts of haddon hall. There are wooden blocks, work surfaces, through which holes have been worn by constant chopping and pounding, a no frills hunk of oak that served as a chopping block, a well equipped bakery and butchery. Originally there were no windows here and little ventilation, the staff working by candlelight. The 9th Duke left this area as he found it, converting the former stables into a modern kitchen for family use and constructed a 47 yard underground tunnel for their meals to be delivered up to the hall.

The chapel, completed in 1427, is notable for it's remarkable wall paintings.

Over recent years Haddon Hall has provided a popular location for film and television productions. These include the feature films “Elizabeth” and “Jane Eyre”, and television productions “The Prince and the Pauper” and “Moll Flanders”.

Opening times and dates for the year 2008

Easter: Thursday 20 March to Tuesday 25 March
April (inc. 29-31 March): Saturday to Monday only
May to September:Daily (closed 5 and 6 July)
October: Saturday to Monday only
Opening hours: 12 noon to 5pm (last admission 4pm)

Christmas: 6 to 14 December daily 10.30am to 3.30pm (last admission 3pm)

More information on opening times, prices and events see www.haddonhall.co.uk

Tel 01629 812855


Photographs of Haddon Hall at Derbyshire and Peak District Photographs

See also
Chatsworth House
Eyam Hall
Hardwick Hall