It's been one place we've had on our to do list for a while and just managed to get ourselves there for one of the final days before it closes over the Winter months. We visit a lot of places with our English Heritage and National Trust memberships, so we have a good feel for historical places and buildings. There is plenty of dedicated parking associated to the Hall that's not too far away 5-10mins walk, but that is the only place really to park. The visit, although in winter was lovely, the sun was shining, so we were able to wander around the gardens, which are well maintained. The Long Gallery, Chapel, and the Great Hall are all beautiful examples of the Tudor period and are very well refurbished and presented. The staff were helpful and friendly, and the lady giving the guided tour of the Chapel was excellent. I did feel that at some points it was a little bit lacking in maybe descriptive literature to engage you in the environment of each room (kitchen area mainly), and maybe due to the season and time of year the staff seemed busy on managerial work rather than being around to answer questions in particular rooms. However, when they were, the information they provided was good. For the size of the place, you felt you are only seeing half of the Hall, which makes you feel like you are missing out on something. However, I suppose you have to understand it's a working, livable space as well. The cafe/restaurant was in a separate outbuilding up a flight of stairs before your entered the main gates of the Hall. It is well presented and great for hot food with some nice choices and variation on the menu. However, we just had Tea and Cake, again lovely selection to choose from. Staff friendly and helpful. The little museum showing found artefacts during the refurbishment was a very interesting section on the look around. Overall would recommend a visit
Just stunning place, steeped in history with one of the best tour guide opening talks I have ever heard. Friendly staff and incredibly atmospheric history.
Garden is stunning, and cafe serves great food.
It IS expensive: £23.50 for an adult, so with 5 of us going, that is an expensive day out. I understand that it is still a home, but feel a little more could have been open (one of the towers?) for that level of spend.
I would say it is definitely one for sure-footed adults, as there are no obvious things for children to do (but they would be free entry). Both inside and outside it is very uneven with lots of steps, which contributes a lot to the incredible character but makes it inaccessible for anyone with mobility issues. There is no obvious way of making it accessible ... not on the building agenda hundreds of years ago!
Externally, it is one of the most stunning places in England; romantic, historic and truly spectacular. Internally, it is fascinating, but just not that many roo.s on display.
Well worth a visit if you prepared to spend the money.
Not cheap at £24 for adults over 16. Kids are free but with extra to be paid for parking and inflated prices in the cafe it’s a difficult sell (I’d recommend getting anyone under 20 in as a child as they cant check and taking your own food). However, once in the building and grounds are very impressive and with 900 years of history you can see why it’s regarded as the best example of a medieval building in the UK. It’s also been featured in many films including The Princess Bride.
What a fantastic medieval hall, a true untouched gem. It has some truly interesting history and beautiful gardens. The guides in each room were great and answered any questions. The great hall and chapel are spectacular. There is n cafe, small gift shop, and a large car park across the road with a charge of £3.80. A good 3 to 4 hours are needed.
I'm not overly into stately homes etc, but really enjoyed Haddon Hall. It was reasonably priced, nice little gift shop and theirs a cafe & facilities.
The hall itself is an impressive building with a rich history. There are guided talks, but not compulsory. It's not stuffy but public friendly with plenty to see. The gardens are as magnificent as the hall and was perfect on a warm sunny summers day.
Parking is across the road from the main entrance, so be careful crossing the main road on foot. Well worth a visit if you have the chance.
Must add a visit to Haddon Hall to your itinerary!!
Rich in history, every corner of this medieval gem holds centuries of stories and takes you through a journey of history one room at a time.
The private residence of Lord and Lady Edward Manners, located in a beautiful valley only the Peak District.
The house is one of the oldest in the country having stood here for over 900 years and has remained within one family that whole time! For 200 years it stood empty which meant it remained unaltered during the modernising period of the Georgians and Victorians.
The house is always decadently decorated at Christmas time, with roaring fires and sparkling bubbles.
Don't forget to make time for the impressive gardens and of course a slice of cake in the restaurant.
Had a lovely day at Haddon Hall, the building itself is so interesting and the guides were full of really interesting information. The gardens were beautiful but it was so hot we didn't do them justice at all. We will definitely visit again, maybe next year in early summer to have a good look at the garden.
Fascinating place with a wealth of history (it's so old). So points to note.. parking is across the road. It's an automatic barrier system payable on leaving by credit or debit card at the barrier (couldn't see coin facility). Oncd over the road, Tickets for the house purchased at the little hut . They don't give you a map, they don't do them. Walk up the drive & over the little bridge. The stables block has been converted into a restaurant- its upstairs, they will bring the food down for you to eat outside, but don't provide a waiter service to take orders outside. This is the only place to eat or drink, no picnic is allowed in the gardens. The walk up to the house is steep, so not for anyone with mobility problems. Once through the main gate, up on the left are toilets next to the museum (the only ones on site except by the stables). There are tours which are worth doing as the individual rooms have very limited written info, so buy a guide book (£9 June 2023). There wasn't always a guide in each room to ask questions. One guide told me they don't label items on purpose, shame as most places have a little note about what stuff is..this is my main criticism, hence the 4 stars. Overall, it's worth a visit, tho.
A very atmospheric place, oozes history and gorgeous gardens.
Not really accessible if that's needed.
Very knowledgeable guides and always willing to help.
Garden staff gave really useful advice too.
Haddon Hall has been on my list for a while, I was glad to catch the roses before they faded! Guided tours were going but I enjoy to take myself around quietly and avoid the crowds. But the guides are filled with ample knowledge and interesting tidbits. Beautiful place, gorgeous grounds, lovely vista views.
Fascinating bit of history in a gorgeous part of the country. Would be nice if there was more access to walk the wider grounds of the estate. But all in all a lovely day out. The cafe staff were a little rude, and the gift shop staff were pretty unhelpful.
Beautiful house and grounds in a lovely area of the Peak District. The cafe serves food of a good standard. I can confirm what they say on their website. Stairs have no handrails, slabs are uneven and parts of the house are poorly lit. So anyone with mobility problems may struggle.
It's a full day here to get the most from your visit & the guided tours are well worth it. The house is well kept though very uneven in places due to the centuries of footfall. The gardens too are beautiful & not over-manicured.
We stopped off at the café for lunch which was beautifully served, tasty & not over priced.
My only gripe is at the extra car parking fee on top of the cost of admission.
Visited today and I can honestly say I was sad to leave. It’s absolutely beautiful, full of history, really nice restaurant, great tours & staff. I’ll probably visit again at Christmas
Recent visit with daughter on August Bank Holiday Monday. We were going to Bakewell but it was very busy, so went to this Hall instead. A lovely medieval hall with lots of interesting artifacts. Nice cafe too 😁
Exploring Haddon Hall feels like stepping back in time. Its rich history is palpable as you wander through the rooms, each exuding its own distinctive charm. The attention to detail in the architecture, furnishings, and decor is remarkable, showcasing the hall’s evolution from the 11th century to the Tudor period with additions made over several centuries.
Beyond the architectural marvels, the setting of Haddon Hall is equally enchanting. Nestled on the banks of the picturesque River Wye, the hall enjoys a tranquil and idyllic location. Surrounding gardens and lush greenery contribute to the overall beauty of the estate, offering a serene escape from the bustling modern world.
A visit to Haddon Hall provides a captivating journey through time, giving visitors a glimpse into the lives of past generations. The combination of its historical significance, architectural splendor, and breathtaking surroundings make it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone seeking a unique and memorable experience.
The Hall is very historic, quite lovely and well cared for. An excellent free 30 minutes guided tour is available, on the hour and half past. After that you're left to wander those rooms open to the public, and some of the garden. We found this took another hour or two, the majority of the hall is private.
It was £75 for the three of us, including parking (£3.80), which we might have felt better value were we permitted to walk the paths by the river, or the battlements on the public side.
This is the most amazing medieval/ Tudor building to visit. Our second time here. We did notice the uneven floors and steps this time so be aware if you're getting on a bit. We were much younger the first time round.
Interesting place for a mooch and guided tours are very good.
There is an excellent restaurant where all the hot meals are cooked to order and presented well. Worth the wait.
If you’re tall, mind your head!!
Very special place, frozen in time. Expensive to enter but worth it as is a unique place with great atmosphere.
Elizabethan wall paintings in the dining room and in the Chapel. Fabulous long gallery.
Lovely tea room with good quality food.
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