Renishaw Hall Summary

• Address: Renishaw, Chesterfield, S21 3WB (Map)
• Tel: +44 (0)1246 432310
• Fax: +44 (0)1246 430760
• Owner: The Sitwell Family
• Administrator: The Administrator
• E-mail: Click here to contact
• Website: Go to the Renishaw Hall website

The beautiful Italianate gardens, park and lake are the creation of the eccentric Sir George Sitwell at the end of the nineteenth century. They remain beautiful, thanks to the care of Lady Sitwell and the Head Gardener and some new planting within Sir George’s design by world famous garden designer Anthony Noel.

There is a Children's Garden with silhouettes of children's story characters, a living willow tunnel, a storytelling seat where Granny Diane tells tales once a month, wooden sculptures on the trees, and a living mushroom!

More information about Renishaw and the Events held there can be found on their Website, where you can also sign up for their E-Newsletter.

The Sitwells

In the twentieth century the Sitwell family became famous through the writings of Edith, Osbert and Sacheverell, the three gifted children of Sir George and Lady Ida Sitwell. The youngest, known as Sachie,was the only one of his generation to marry, and Renishaw was passed on to his elder son, Sir Reresby Sitwell, who died this year.

The artist, Rex Whistler, a visitor of the Sitwells to the Hall, declared that Renishaw was "the most exciting place he knew"

The Museum and Galleries at Renishaw Hall

The Sitwell family knew many of the most prominent literary and artistic figures of the twentieth century. Osbert Sitwell in particular was active in commissioning and collecting modern works of art, and he and his siblings were at the heart of literary and artistic life in London and elsewhere. Some of their protégés, such as Cecil Beaton, John Piper and William Walton have become household names. The Museum and the Galleries in the stables enable visitors to see a rich variety of material and exhibits from the Sitwell archives and collections, and a recent film about the family and their home.

The Sitwell Museum contains Sitwell memorabilia and photographs, many having been exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery; also on display are costumes and uniforms from the last 150 years, including couture dresses.

The Exhibition Gallery was the brain child of Penelope Sitwell and this year features the private collections of Sir Osbert Sitwell. Many of the items are unseen including Picasso, Rex Whistler, Cecil Beaton and Wilfred Owen to name but a few.

New for 2011, enjoy an exhibition of the history of the gardens at Renishaw, charting their history for over four centuries. The exhibition takes the visitor through every stage of the garden as it reflected the mood of the time.

Opening Times - 2011

Gardens, Museum & Gallery Cafe:

• 1st April - 26th September: Thursday - Sunday & Bank Holidays, 10.30 am - 4.30 pm
• The Hall tours are available to the public every Friday in season at 2 pm
• Pre-booking is recommended

Admission Prices - 2011

Garden, Museum & Galleries:

• Adult - £6.00
• Child - £5.20
• Seniors - £5.20
• Group - £5.20
• Season ticket - £28.00
• Parking - £1.00

Hall & Gardens:

• Adult - £12

Groups Welcome (minimum 25 people)

Weddings and Conferences

Renishaw Hall has a licence allowing the unique opportunity to have Civil Wedding ceremonies inside the Hall, within The Dining Room. Built in 1793 and designed by the Sheffield architect Joseph Badger, The Dining Room is one of the most elaborately decorated rooms at Renishaw Hall. The room features an apse and contains many fine works of art, making it a truly atmospheric place for a wedding ceremony.Civil Wedding ceremonies may be held on any day of the week. Please note that during the summer months the Gardens are open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays and also on Thursday during July and August.

Renishaw is also available for conferences. It has modern equipment in rooms of varying sizes, for up to 50 people, and can cater for varying functions. Please contact the events office for more information on 01246 432310.

Filming

Renishaw Hall Is available for film and television production location work, radio and newspaper interviews and photoshoots. Please contact the events office or email janetravis21@gmail.com for all media enquiries.

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

Further information including opening times and prices

Image Gallery

Your Reviews of Renishaw Hall

Madeleine Radford (10 July 2006)

I visited the gardens at Renishaw in July 2006 - they are truly magnificent; exquisite artistic and imaginative plantings on a traditional framework. Congratulations to David Kesteven and team.

David Shenton (14 April 2006)

Although we live relatively close by, we only discovered Renishaw a few years ago. We have since returned five or six times a year. I can thoroughly recommend the evening events with meal afterwards, especially for me the garden tour with the head gardener (my wife's favourite is the hall tour). At other times, often on Thursdays, we visit the cafe/restaurant for breakfast or lunch and occasionally Sundays for the excellent 'weigh your plate' buffet. I mustn't forget the galleries and plant sales (another of my weaknesses). All in all a treasure on our doorsteps. May it long survive, but never get too busy!

See more reviews of Renishaw Hall

Additional Info for Renishaw Hall

• Parks
• Gardens
• Playgrounds
• Dogs allowed
• Weddings
• Disabled Access
• Refreshments
• Picnics
• Guides
• Meals Available
• Conferences
• Filming
• Gifts
• Nursery
• Shop
• Car Parking

Heritage Groups

• Historic Houses Association

Credit Cards Accepted

• Mastercard
• Amex
• Visa
• Barclays
• JCB

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