by Sarah Lewis

Created on: March 12, 2010   Last Updated: March 16, 2010

I consider myself quite privileged to live within such easy reach of so many wonderful and exciting places to visit. Last weekend the weather was glorious and we decided to go and see what Haddon Hall had to offer. Haddon Hall is just two miles South of Satnav then the postcode is DE45 1LA.

Car parking.
This is quite an unusual set up, the spacious car park for Haddon Hall is on the opposite side of a very busy road. At the car park you pay £1 a car and you are ushered into a parking space by a courteous attendant, who then hands you a leaflet all about Haddon Hall.

Crossing that busy road (A1)
You must pay great attention when you cross that busy road, the traffic is fast and constant and there are signs displayed that warn of the dangers. But once you are safely across you then walk on a pavement until you reach the entrance to the Hall. This is only a couple of minutes walk.

Entering Haddon Hall.
Impressive, the gift shop is situated right at the entrance. A little bit further on up the drive you reach a booth where you can buy your tickets.Haddon Hall is not owned by the National Trust, it is still family owned and the entrance charges are as follows :
Adults £8.75
Concessions £7.75
Children £4.75
A Family ticket £22.50
Regular visitor £16
Then it seems that party rates could well be available for groups of 15 or over.
Guided tours are by special arrangement.

 VISITING

2010 Opening times:

12 noon to 5pm (last admission 4pm)
April: Saturday, Sunday and Mondays only (3rd-26th April)
Easter: Thursday 1st to Tuesday 6th April (incl.)
May to September: Open daily (CLOSED WEEK END SAT SUN 3/4 JULY)
October: Saturday, Sunday and Mondays only (2nd - 31st October)
Christmas: 4th-12th December daily 10.30am to 4pm (last admission 3:30pm)

You then begin quite a long walk up a slow incline towards the hall, en route you walk over a small bridge and then you are facing the beautiful lodge house. We had managed to time our visit well and the lodge house was awash with climbing roses all in bloom. If any of you are topiary fans then there are some clever examples in the front garden of the Lodge.

Although the Lodge has a stone wall running around it you feel compelled to stick your head over and take a peep, as expected the garden is chocolate box pretty.  Turn toward the Hall and  you will be very grateful that you don't have to clean the thousands of tiny leaded panes of glass.

Before you make your way uphill toward the

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