Hartshorne Upper Hall-Heritage Open Days

Hall and kitchen range of substantial early 17th-century timber-framed manor house. Well-preserved, with decorative framing, two-storey porch, ovens and cellars. (Parlour wing in separate occupation and not open.) Still lived in as a private house.

This handsome Grade II* house, one of only four remaining timber-framed manor houses in southern Derbyshire, was built in the 1620s for John Benskin, a prosperous yeoman grazier who evidently intended to maintain a style of life well above the average. The house is large and would allow for a large household with plenty of servants and for gracious living at a high standard. Not only does this fine house survive virtually undamaged, but it allows us to understand something of the Benskin family’s way of life and standard of living in the early 17th century.

- Jettied, with extensive herringbone work

- Interior with much excellent timber, including intact close-studded internal partition walls

- Original front door and 17th century ‘graffiti’ in porch

- Cellar with salting trough

- Historic stable and early 20th century wash-house

- Gardens including period plants labelled with historic uses

- Tudor/Stuart era toys and games to try out

- Costumed guides and demonstrators

- Costumed lutenist

Join us and sit by the blazing fire before your candlelit tour of the whole of this fascinating house.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 20 September:

Doors open at 1330; tours from 1400 every 30 mins until 1700.