Haddon Hall

As part of our trip to the Peak District, our wonderful AirBnb host recommended we check out Haddon Hall. It was originally not part of our plan for the Peak District, but I can't resist a good hall, manor, house, castle, etc. Haddon Hall is an English country house on the River Wye near Bakewell, Derbyshire. Again, I'm not sure I understand "country house" as the description of the house, it is like a castle. Haddon is often referred to as a "fortified manor house." Haddon Hall is the seat of the Duke of Rutland (who also owns and lives at Belvoir Castle). The Duke's brother, Lord Manners, lives at Haddon and we were told the family was entertaining later that evening. The hall was thought to have been originally constructed in the 11th and 12th centuries. The oldest part of the Hall is King John's Wall (pictures below) thought to date back to 1195 and modified in 1370. Haddon Hall has been in the Manners family since 1567.

Haddon Hall: https://www.haddonhall.co.uk

We were on a self-guided tour of Haddon Hall. There was a brief discussion on the house in the Banqueting Hall when we arrived. We entered the Hall under the North-West Tower, and then walked through the Lower Courtyard.

River Wye:

Lower Courtyard:

Then, we made our way to the kitchen.

Food preparation table worn down:

Much loved cutting board:

Three kitchen sinks. Live fish may have been kept in one of the basins:

Next was the Bakery, with dual ovens:

The Butchery:

The Buttery:

The Dole cupboards were in between the Bakery and the Butchery. These wooden "dole" cupboards were filled with food and leftovers from the kitchen and placed outside in the evenings so people passing by could take some of the food without having to ask. Apparently the phrase "on the dole" comes from the Dole cupboards. I've never heard the phrase before.

We walked to the Banqueting Hall next. This one one of my favorite rooms in the house. There was also a fire going, so that may have had something to do with it . Fun fact about the table, apparently when the family was finished eating the table would be opened up for the dogs to clean off. There were even dog gates at the bottom of the steps, which I didn't get a picture of because I didn't realize they were dog gates.


The Minstrel's Gallery in the background of this picture dates back to the 15th century.

One of the windows in the Banqueting Hall:

The tapestry on the wall is said to have been a gift from Henry VIII. The tapestry was probably made during the reign of King Edward IV in the 15th century.

We then moved into The Parlour, or for us commoners, the Dining Room. This room had extensive intricate woodwork. I tried to get a few pictures but I am not quite sure they capture the level of detail.


Ceiling:

Example of the detailed woodwork:

In the window recess of the Parlour:

Carved figures in oak paneling, possibly Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth of York.

View from the Parlour:

Onto the Great Chamber:

Window recess in the Great Chamber:

The Earl's Apartment. There was a small fireplace in the corner of the room and several royals who have visited Haddon signed their names here.

The Long Gallery is probably the most famous room in the house. The room would have been used as what us commoners would call an indoor track so one could still exercise without having to endure the elements outside. The Long Gallery was also used for less strenuous activities such as gaming and needlework and probably also for balls. The windows are really unique in this room. The diamond shaped panes are set at different angles giving it a wavey appearance which maximizes the use of daylight.

Ceiling:

Window pane:

We walked through a few Ante-rooms with beautiful tapestries on the walls. Tapestries were a sign of wealth.

Our final room was the State Bedroom. There is no bed in the State Bedroom, but there is a billiards table. The state bed was moved to Belvoir Castle and sits in the Picture Gallery there. Also, I took a picture of what the room would have looked like back in the day.

Oldest Part of Haddon Hall, King John's Wall:

The Chapel was really interesting. The frescoes on the wall are thought to have been commissioned in the 15th century.

The gardens at Haddon were beautiful. The weather wasn't very cooperative, but I managed to get out during breaks in the rain to take a few pictures. I really enjoyed the different levels of gardens.

Haddon Hall is definitely one of my absolute favorite Halls that we have visited in England. The gardens were beautiful and the hall had a somewhat "homely" feel to it. On to Chatsworth House...