Eyring at Haddon

Today we went to Haddon Hall which is  one of my favorite places in the England. It is going to become famous soon for its starring role in the Jane Eyre film coming out in September (already out in US) starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. However this is not the first time the Hall has been used in film and television starring in the recent BBC Jane Eyre adaptation, Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightley and Matthew McFadden and The Princess Bride!

The reason people use this place for filming is because it is a beautiful, well preserved piece of Tudor/Stuart history nestled in the hills of the Derbyshire Peak district. It is straight out of Gothic novels (think Northanger Abbey) and romantic fantasy. I love the intimate, slightly rough around the edges feel of the place. The house was lived in from 1150 until 1703 when the family were given a Dukedom and moved to Belvoir castle and the place was abandoned for 200 years until at the beginning of the 20th Century the family moved back and did some remedial work. It has a beautiful terrace gardens and obviously fantastic views. I personally feel the slightly overgrown, holistic garden is the best in the country because of its wildness but they are getting someone in to replant it over the winter (Haddon Hall closes over the winter) so I'm glad I saw it before it went. They also have amazing roses.

For me Haddon is like Broadsworth Hall and Wightwick Manor - built in a specific time period they have not been changed and encapsulate that time. I love places that have just enough to look around but that you still have time to sit and read or relax in the sunshine before heading home.

Facilities: The restaurant was ok. Home cooked food but not a massive selection. Toilets were great. Again they had a theme of horses but were very modern and clean. I would also advise anyone with walk difficulties to beware as the Hall is not access friendly and has lots of stairs and steep slopes.

I am going to add a photo tour of the Hall because I am a massive fan of the Jane Eyre (2006) and P&P with McFadden and Knightley. So if you want to know where things are shot here is your guide:

• Princess Bride: This is the courtyard where Princess Buttercup is presented to everyone (Haddon Hall is also used as the castle in the background in this film).

Jane Eyre: Jane and Rochester kiss here after the proposal.

Jane Eyre: This is were Jane overhears the servants discussing Grace Poole (I should have warned you it was going to be pedantic).















 P&P: This the 'Inn at Lambton' - Darcy speak to  the Gardiners here while Lizzy hides.

Jane Eyre: Jane is presented to Rochester for the first time here.

 P&P: Lizzy hides behind a curtain in this doorway (right)

Jane Eyre: Jane comes down these stairs on her wedding day.

P&P: This room was apparently used as Lizzy and Jane's bedroom at Longbourn (although I don't know if you can tell).

Jane Eyre: This was Mr Rochesters study and where Jane and he meet for their discussion.

Jane Eyre: This is where Jane says goodbye to Mr Rochester before going to Gateshead.

Jane Eyre: This is the kitchen and where Jane and Mrs Fairfax sit when Jane arrives at Thornfield.

 Jane Eyre: This where Jane and Mrs Fairfax eat with Adele.

Jane Eyre: This is Jane's Bedroom (it is currently Haddon's 'viewing room' hence the chairs).

 Jane Eyre: Jane's bedroom again.

 Jane Eyre: Jane escapes this way after walking with Rochester after the Mason event.

 Jane Eyre: The party pass past Rochesters window when he broodes over Jane.

 P&P: On the other side of this partition Lizzy reveals all about Lydia to Darcy and the Gardiners.

Jane Eyre: This is the drawing room where the party socialise each day.

I will add more tomorrow.