Haddon Hall is probably the finest example of a fortified medieval manor house in existence. Present-day Haddon Hall dates from the 12th Century to the early 17th Century, whereupon it lay dormant for over two hundred years from 1700 until the 1920s, when the 9th Duke and Duchess of Rutland restored the house and gardens, and once again made it habitable.

 

It contains a magnificent Banqueting Hall and an oak panelled Long Gallery, 110ft in length and 17ft wide. This many windowed room has diamond panes set at different angles to maximise the amount of daylight entering.

 

The kitchen complex is one of the most fascinating parts of Haddon Hall. There are wooden blocks, work surfaces, through which holes have been worn by constant chopping and pounding, a no frills hunk of oak that served as a chopping block, a well equipped bakery and butchery. Originally there were no windows here and little ventilation, the staff working by candlelight. The 9th Duke left this area as he found it, converting the former stables into a modern kitchen for family use and constructed a 47 yard underground tunnel for their meals to be delivered up to the hall. The chapel, completed in 1427, is notable for it's remarkable wall paintings.

 

The Gift Shop

The Gatehouse gift shop sell a range of lovely gifts and souvenirs. Gifts include items by local artists and craftspeople made exclusively for Haddon Hall as well as books that relate to the history of the Hall and the interests of our visitors. They also stock Traditional Tapestries' beautiful cushions, bags, table runners and wall plaques. The gifts reflect the seasons, with items to enhance the house and garden in the summer months and Christmas gifts and decorations in December. The Tudor theme runs through the range of books and music CDs and they also stock DVDs of films that have been made at Haddon Hall where available. The souvenirs range from china thimbles and mugs through to tea towels, local honey, chocolate bars and postcards.