Haddon Hall in Derbyshire

Derbyshire is home to Haddon Hall - one of those places where I could imagine Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice being set.  It dates back to the 12th century, and it was fun to tour the beautiful big rooms where banquets were held, and the long hall where ladies took their exercise on days when it was too rainy or too sunny (?!) to go outdoors. They actually walked up and down the room for a workout! For some reason, I neglected to get a photo of the room.

Long stairway entrance

Quite the doorway.  Note the Welcome sign :-)

These old halls and castles all seem to
have inner courtyards, surrounded by
four walls.  Kept out the riffraff I guess.

Tiny door in the inner courtyard- again,
about 6" too short for Glen

Painting detail inside the chapel.  This graphic
covered most of the walls.  Really pretty.

Seriously old church pews.  12th century old

Minister's staircase.  He must have been
very tiny - I think this was about 12" wide.

The inner courtyard, looking toward the
master's suites

In the huge guest suite, there was a film running - it described modern day cooks preparing a medieval feast in the old kitchen, and the work involved.  It took 3 days for several people to re-create one of these feasts using only the equipment and kitchen facilities as they would have been way-back-when.  It also described how people ate (a knife and their hands!), and the etiquette of the day.  

Beautiful windows - outside in the garden

Sideboard in the dining hall

Doorway to the kitchens seen from the dining hall

Ceiling painting

Ceiling and wall details

A different ceiling

Chair in the exercise hall.  Doesn't look particularly
comfortable.  There were a number of these.

Chair in the lord's suite.  It looks very
uncomfortable

Ornate Doorway

Pretty fireplace

The thing I really loved here though was the gardens - WOW!  As soon as I stepped outside, the fragrance was almost a physical force.  I could imagine lords and ladies walking in the pathways with their parasols and fancy clothing.  The hall is surrounded by the most beautiful flowers and fragrances.  There is one full time gardener, and two part-time gardeners.  I can’t imagine how they are able to keep so much area so beautiful and well-maintained, but they do.  Spectacular.  We were offered a one-year pass when we went into the hall - we declined for obvious reasons, but wondered to ourselves why anyone would want to keep going back.  I got my answer in the gardens.  I could sit there every day.

Lavender in the foreground.  Roses in
the background.

One of several garden areas.  

Roses everywhere growing up against the walls.

Love this flower.  I have no idea what it is.

Typical pathway edging

One full-time gardener and two part-time
gardeners take care of all this.  I was surprised
that it was so few - it looked like about it would
require about 5 full-timers.  

View out to the hills from the hall.

The dining table.  This one is raised up a stone's height
and is set at the head of the room with the tapestry
behind.  The really important people sat at this one!