Haddon Hall

What it’s like

A medieval manor with terraced gardens to explore, kids get in free and there's archery some summer Tuesdays.

This is a proper medieval hall, not a hands-on activity centre, so the appeal is wandering the old rooms and terraced gardens rather than pressing buttons. Kids under 16 get in free, which softens the £29.50 adult ticket a bit. There are free guided tours of the highlights on Mondays, and in the summer holidays there's a children's tour on Tuesdays plus archery on certain dates, which is probably the bit they'll remember over the panelled rooms.

Budget at least two hours, and note that last entry is an hour before closing at 4pm, so don't roll up at half three expecting a leisurely look round. The activity questionnaires at the Duke's Tower entrance are a nice way to keep younger ones engaged as you go round, since there isn't much else aimed squarely at children indoors.

The pushchair rule is the real faff here: no pushchairs or large bags allowed in the hall or gardens, only baby carriers, though there's storage under the stable block arch. Picnics aren't allowed in the hall or formal gardens either, but you can eat on the grass by the Gardener's Cottage where they've put benches out. There's a renovated on-site restaurant with a children's menu if you'd rather not carry sandwiches.

Parking is £4.40 a car and pay by contactless on the way out, but it's across the busy A6 from the hall itself, which is worth knowing if you've got small children who like to make a run for it. The floors are uneven with a lot of steps throughout, so it isn't workable for wheelchairs or anyone with limited mobility, though carers get in free with proof of eligibility.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

5 to 15; younger ones may tire of the indoor rooms

Last entry

3:00pm

Parking

£4.40 per car, contactless payment at exit barrier, across the A6 from hall

How long to allow

At least two hours

Food

Recently renovated on-site restaurant open to ticket holders and public

Picnics

Allowed on grass in front of Gardener's Cottage with benches

Pushchairs

Not permitted in hall or gardens

Wheelchairs

Not suitable for wheelchairs. Carer free admission with proof of disability eligibility

Dogs

Assistance and guide dogs only in grounds and gardens

Getting there by bus or train

Buses from Matlock, Derby, Bakewell, Sheffield (25min-1hr)

Worth knowing

Children under 16 go free

• The children's activity questionnaires at the Duke's Tower entrance are handy for keeping younger visitors interested indoors.
• Free guided tours run on Mondays, with a children's version on Tuesdays in the summer holidays.
• Archery pops up on certain Tuesdays over the summer holidays, so check which dates if that's the draw.
• Picnics are banned in the hall and formal gardens but fine on the grass by the Gardener's Cottage.
• The car park is 366m from the hall across a busy A6, so keep hold of little hands on the way over.

Plan your visit

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