Tissington Hall is the focal point of the model village bearing the same name, a short distance away from Ashbourne and famous for it's annual Well Dressings. The Hall is the home of the Fitzherberts, a branch of the great Derbyshire family headed by Lord Stafford, whose ancient seats were at Norbury Manor and Somersal Herbert. Norman Fitzherbert, a younger son, aquired Tissington in the 1460's by marriage and the family have lived there ever since.
The present house was built by Francis FitzHerbert in the reign of James 1st and is a very fine example of the architecture of that period.
The whole roof is hidden by a parapet and is topped by ornate chimneys. The FitzHerbert coat of arms is portrayed above the two-storey porch and the windows are mullioned and transomed. In front of the house is a low wall with a fine central gateway.
Inside, the large central entrance hall has its original panelling and neo-Gothic plasterwork and an elaborate fireplace from about 1750. The ornately carved staircase is also original. The drawing room is on the upper floor and has handsome panelling with fluted pilasters. The terraced gardens were laid out in 1913 and offer lovely views over the surrounding countryside and over grassy banks to the Parish Church of St Marys.
The house had some restoration work done in the 20th century, carried out by Arnold Mitchell who also designed the library wing.
Tissington contains many treasures accumulated by the families over the centuries and includes fine furniture and paintings by Reynolds, Velazquez, Rubens and Angelica Kauffmann.
Tissington Hall was granted a civil licence by Derbyshire County Council in February 2003 and many couples have used Tissington Hall for their marriage ceremony.
Tissington Hall & Gardens are open
on the following dates in 2008:
Easter Week: 24 - 28 March inc.
Half Term Week: 26 May - 30 May inc.
and, Tuesday-Friday inc.
from 22 July - 22 August
and, Bank Holiday Monday
25 August 2008
All tours are guided & run from 1.30 to 4.00
Admission: Hall & Gardens £7.50 Adult
£4.00 Children (10-16)
£6.50 Concessions
and for group visits by appointment ALL YEAR for societies, Antiques societies, National Trust Associations, Church Groups and WI's etc.
(For group tours only please contact Mrs Fran Holt on 01335 346409).
Tissington Well Dressing 2008 - May 1 to 7 inclusive
Tissington village and Tissington Hall photographs at Tissington Photographs
Further information can be obtained from the Tissington Hall website
