Haddon Hall - Bakewell

Barbara E.

Enjoyed our visit to Haddon Hall. Could do with some improvement in the information provided in each room. Not easy to find or read, this would help visitors understand what they are looking at. No gift shop which is unusual. Cafe may need an extra helper. Otherwise it was lovely.

Izzy W.

A fascinating place to visit, if you love historic houses you'll love this place. Our visit coincided with a fabulous roaring log fire being lit in the Great Hall, and a wonderful choir singing in the long gallery. The gardens are amazing with far-reaching views.
There was something of interest in each area of the building from the church, little museum, medieval kitchens and the whole house.
The history talks were really interesting.
Definitely recommend, however good to fair mobility is needed when visiting

Tom B.

£28 per person, plus £4 parking. £60 total for a couple - that's extortionate. This is a well preserved medieval hall, one of the better examples in the country even. However, please note a significant part of the property is closed off to public access, as it's still inhabited by the Manners family. Please also note the information texts are printed in a small font in books laid flat on surfaces in each room, this arrangement does not aid to ease of their legibility; a careless oversight given there's quite a lot of text to read (the subject matter is interesting though).

The guided room tours are informative but is a basic service at these sorts of sites, as you'll see at many National Trust properties for example.
On the day of our visit a choir was in situ in the long gallery singing for visitors' enjoyment, which was pleasant. I would describe their choral skill as intermediate.

In light of these considerations, the steep admission cost simply isn't justified when many greater stately homes charge less for much more.

The estate makes the slightly erroneous claim that the Tudor Prince Arthur stayed at the premises in the late 15th century although no surviving documentation survives to definitively prove this, although it is plausible as Sir Henry Vernon was his Treasurer. I would describe their wording as earnestly exaggerating Arthur's links to the estate. This undermines confidence in the family's documentation of their own estate - a potential conflict of interest arises.

Perhaps it's time to get an independent and qualified party to produce the displays and represent the property in an accurate and informative way?

Mark A.

Had a great day here in the sun, exploring the garden and various rooms of the house. It wouldn't have been my first choice of places to visit, but my wife really wanted to go, I was very pleasantly surprised.

The rooms are varied with lots of features to look at, and the age of it makes it mind blowing how long ago things were from. Sections of the hall were from 1300s and 1400s with great pieces of timber for joists, stairs and even benches. The oak trees they grew from could have been from a further 500 or 1000 years before then, it is difficult for me to wrap my mind around that.

The entrance fee was relatively steep given that it's a one time entry price. Many similar places allow you to return multiple times over 12 months for a similar price. However the building and grounds are well maintained.

We spent a couple of hours there and took our own food, though there is a cafe/restaurant on site.

A word of caution, almost every area is uneven and stepped, so be careful if attending with anyone unsteady on their feet.

Geri B.

Went to Haddon Hall, caught a tour guide, very informative. Went round the house whilst the lady gave the history of the building. After the tour, Went round the gardens, 👏 well done to the gardeners. Went to the restaurant, food was amazing, the restaurant was full, seating area outside but the weather was very hot. Toilets before leaving, unfortunately some sparrows were nesting in the toilets and had left quite a mess, other than that a great visit. Parking was in the car park across the road

Martin

We had been wanting to visit this place for many years and finally got the opportunity. It's a fabulous historic Manor house in the most scenic setting. Although it's very difficult for people with reduced mobility due to very uneven steps and walkways, it's something not to be missed.

Damien S.

Another lovely place to go visit, loads to see and plenty of tours if you into that kind of thing and learning the history of the location. Can get a bit busy but it is a huge place so easy to get away from the crowds.

Rachael S.

It's a stunning building and the food is amazing in the restaurant....not put 5 stars as there isn't that many rooms open and if you paid £28 you come away disappointed...it's free with historic houses and in the case it's well worth a visit and the food especially the cakes in the restaurant need to be eaten. The bakewell tart was honestly the best bakewell we ever eaten!!!