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 2011:
General Opening Dates - these tours do not need to be pre-booked - just turn up on the day. Tours from 12.00 to 3pm (last tour at 2.40pm).
The Old Coach House Tea Rooms in the village will be open for afternoon teas, light lunches and coffee throughout the day. Opening dates for 2011 are as follows:
Easter Week: Sunday 24th April - Friday 29th April (inclusive)
Well Dressing Week: Thursday 2nd June, Friday 3rd June, Saturday 4th June, Sunday 5th June 2011
Tuesday-Friday incl from 19th July- 26th August
Bank Holiday Monday 29th August
National Garden Scheme Day - Monday 29th August 2011 www.ngs.org.uk
Hall and Gardens open from 12.00 - 3.00 pm on the above dates (11am on Easter Sunday and Monday).
The Hall and Gardens are also open for Groups and Societies throughout the year and details can be obtained from our Guides Co-Ordinator, Mrs Dee Frith via email at deirdrefrith@gmail.com or by phone on 01629 636911.
Guided tours of the Hall every 20 minutes from 12.00pm
Gardens open 12.00pm to 4.00pm
Prices
Adult Child (10-16) Concession
Hall & Gardens £8.50 £4.00 £7.00
Garden Only £3.50 £2.00 £3.50
Well Dressing Dates for 2011 are
Thursday 2nd June - Wednesday 8th June
Further information can be obtained from the Tissington Hall website
Tissington village and Tissington Hall photographs at Tissington Photographs
