by Tange

Created on: January 12, 2008

The area of Derbyshire I live in is great for anyone with an interest in history. We have some excellent places to visit, including some notable stately homes, historic houses and castles. Chatsworth House is perhaps the most famous, but there are many others that are well worth a look. Bolsover Castle, Hardwick Hall, Peveril Castle and Eyam Hall are good examples of the other places on offer. Today, however, I would like to tell you about Haddon Hall.

~~~WHERE IS HADDON HALL?

Haddon Hall can be found around two miles south of Bakewell. It is pretty well signposted - follow the brown tourist signs from Bakewell or Matlock on the A6. You can also get there by bus - I haven't done it that way myself but I looked on http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/haddon.php and it said "By Bus: the Trans-Peak bus between Derby->Matlock->Bakewell->Buxton->Manc hester goes right past the door, as does the R61 Derby-Bakewell bus. From Sheffield take the 240 bus to Bakewell and then pick up the Trans-Peak or R61 to get to the Hall. From Chesterfield take the 170 bus to Bakewell and then ask for Sheffield." I couldn't have put it better myself!

We normally go by car (my dad drives!) and I would say that this is where one of my main criticisms of the Hall kicks in - the car park is opposite the entrance and once you've parked you have to cross the A6; a busy and often scary road. It also costs a pound to park which, on top of the entrance fees, can make your day a little expensive. The busy road can also put quite a lot of time on your journey and the congestion can make the trip a bit tedious - something to bear in mind if you are taking small children who can get bored quite easily.

~~~OPENING HOURS AND ENTRANCE PRICES.

Haddon opens for the following times:

April: Saturday - Monday.
Easter: Good Friday - Tuesday.
May - Sept: Daily.
October: Saturday - Monday
Opening hours: 12 noon - 5pm.
The last admission is by 4pm and it costs 7.25 for adults, 6.25 for concessionary categories and 3.75 for children. Family tickets (for 2 adults and up to 3 children) are available and will set you back 19.00. It is worth noting that children are classed as anyone up to 16 years old.

~~~A BIT OF HISTORY.

Haddon Hall was originally owned by the descendants of an illegitimate son of William the Conqueror (called Peverel) and dates from the 14th and 15th Centuries. It passed into the hands of the Manners family by marriage - this is the family who later became the Dukes of Rutland. The Hall was closed up for

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