Haddon Hall

The Basics

Haddon Hall is one of the oldest and best-preserved properties of its kind in the country and you can easily explore the house and surrounding gardens and grounds in half a day. Take time to stroll through the renovated gardens—with their cascading terraces, rose patches, and sweeping views—before admiring the impressive English furniture collection (thought to be among the best in the country) and visiting the family’s private chapel. A particular highlight of the latter includes the 14th-century fresco.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Film fanatics will enjoy Haddon Hall, one of the filming locations for The Princess Bride (1986), Pride and Prejudice (2004), and Jane Eyre (2010).

• Children ages 15 and under enter for free.

• There’s an on-site restaurant, gift store, plant shop, and hotel—the Peacock at Rowsley.

• Free guided tours are typically offered every Monday at Haddon Hall, except during the Christmas Period.

• Haddon Hall is not fully wheelchair accessible due to uneven flooring and steps throughout the building.

How to Get There

Situated on the banks of the River Wye in Bakewell, Derbyshire, Haddon Hall is just 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Sheffield. Navigate southwest to Bakewell before following the brown signs for Haddon Hall—there is dedicated parking available nearby for a small fee. Alternatively, head to Matlock Train Station and take a taxi or bus onwards to Haddon Hall.

When to Get There

Haddon Hall is generally open between the mid-morning and late afternoon from April to October. Last entry is one hour before close. Visit on Monday to take advantage of the free, first-come-first-served "Highlights of the Hall" tours which run throughout the day or stop by for the annual summer and winter Mercatum Artisan Markets which typically take place in June and November.

English Country Houses

Often referred to as manor houses or stately homes, country houses dot the length and breadth of England. Many have featured on the big screen—including Castle Howard in North Yorkshire which was the setting for Brideshead Revisited and Lyme Park in Cheshire, the on-camera home of Colin Firth’s Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice—while others, such as Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, are known for their annual Christmas markets.