Haddon Hall

Haddon Hall Description

William the Conqueror's illegitimate son, Peverel, and his descendants held Haddon for a hundred years before it passed into the hands of the Vernons. It was under their care and particularly under that of Richard de Vernon in the 14th century and Sir Henry Vernon in the 16th century that Haddon Hall took on the shape of the building we are familiar with today. It came into the possession of the Manners family by marriage after the death of Sir George Vernon in 1567 and has remained in the Manners family ever since.

If you were to take yourselves back to 1170, you would see very little of the present-day Haddon Hall, other than parts of the Eagle Tower and chapel. A building originally stood on the land it now occupies as far back as 1087, but it was not until 1370 that Richard de Vernon embarked on a project of major construction.

Some of the Major Rooms - The Banqueting Hall

Dating from the late 14th century, the Banqueting Hall was the principal dwelling room for the medieval manor and would have been home for between forty and fifty people. The roof is of 20th century construction, all the timbers for which were cut from the Haddon or Belvoir estates. Items of interest in the Banqueting Hall include antlers dating from the time of Charles II. Other items include, a 15th century refectory table, a tapestry and a manacle and lock; it is said any guest 'who did not drink fayre' was liable to have his hand manacled and the remainder of his drink poured down his sleeve. A wood panelled minstrel's gallery was added in about 1600 to the existing hall.

The Great Chamber

Separated from the dining room below by Sir Henry Vernon in about 1500, this room once formed the upper half of the medieval parlour. At this time it was re-roofed with the oak beams now visible and given the same window configuration as the dining room below.Nonetheless, remnants of one of the 14th century windows remain as an alcove in one of the walls. The room is decorated with fine tapestries and contains a fascinating 14th century English pew end. The plasterwork is 17th Century as is the panelling, which shows evidence of once having been brightly painted.

The Long Gallery

The Long Gallery, reached from the Great Chamber by large oak steps said to have been hewn from the roots of a single oak tree, is Haddon's grandest room. Built by John Manners in the late 16th and early 17th century, it is typical of an Elizabethan Gallery, ideal for the members of the family, dressed in their finery, to take exercise without subjecting themselves to inclement weather.

The furnishings are of varied dates, for instance, a finely carved walnut chair in the style of Daniel Marot, from the 17th Century. The light in the Long Gallery is exquisite, created by the use of diamond panes of glass in the windows, which are all set at different angles. As the light pours in, the lightened oak panelled walls reflect it back into the room, ensuring that the maximum effect of daylight is felt.

The Gardens

The beautiful gardens at Haddon Hall today are due mainly to the passion of Her Grace the 9th Duchess of Rutland. When she arrived with her husband at the beginning of the 20th century, she encountered a garden overgrown and uncared for. A massive clearance took place and the once grand and then neglected gardens at Haddon were returned to their former glory. Yew trees were planted as well as herbaceous borders; climbing ivy was stripped from balustrades and climbing roses planted in their place.

Haddon Hall is believed to have one of the most romantic gardens in Britain, the terraced rose gardens are glorious. Roses, clematis and delphiniums soften the harshness of the great stone buttresses and ancient walls of the house itself, and whether visited in Spring or Summer, these wonderful surroundings are the epitome of the English Country Garden.

Filming at Haddon

Haddon Hall has proved a popular choice with film-makers over the years. No other medieval house has so triumphantly withstood the ravages of time and it is therefore the perfect setting for a period drama. Feature films and television productions shot at Haddon include: Franco Zeffirelli's Jane Eyre (1996); The BBC's production of The Prince and the Pauper; Granada Television's Moll Flanders; and Elizabeth (1999), directed by Shekhar Kapur and starring Cate Blanchett, Joseph Fiennes and Lord Attenborough.

Opening Times - 2012

• 30th March - 30th April: Saturday - Monday plus Good Friday, 12 noon - 5 pm (last admission 4 pm)
• May - September: daily, 12 noon - 5 pm (last admission 4 pm)
• Closed: 3rd June
• October: Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 12 noon - 5 pm (last admission 4 pm)
• Christmas: 5th - 19th December: daily, 10.30 am - 4 pm (last admission 3.30 pm)

Admission Pricess - 2012

• Adult - £9.50
• Child (5 - 15 years) - £5.50
• Seniors - £8.50
• Family (2+3) - £27.50
• Regular Visitor Pass - £18.00

Groups (15+):

• Adult - £8.50
• Child (5 - 15 years) - £4.50
• Conscession - £7.50

More information on the garden can be found on The Gardens Guide.