Haddon Hall’s History of Film
by Northern Life
With over 900 years of history, magnificent gardens, its own chapel and a number of breath taking rooms including The Long Gallery, The Parlour and the Banqueting Hall, it’s no wonder Haddon Hall has been the choice location for so many film producers.
Gunpowder – Liv Tyler
In 2017 alone, Haddon Hall has been the location for the BBC’s Gunpowder, starring Kit Harrington and Liv Tyler, BBC2’s The Sweet Makers and Inside Out and over the last few decades, has played a pivotal role in no less than three Jane Eyre films, Elizabeth, The Other Boleyn Girl and Pride & Prejudice, providing the perfect backdrop for these historic productions.
In addition, Haddon Hall was cast as Prince Humperdinck’s castle in cult movie The Princess Bride, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this October and has brought hundreds of tourists to the hall, hoping to immerse themselves in Buttercup’s experiences.
These productions have brought some leading lights of the film industry to the Peak District, including; Helena Bonham Carter, Dame Judi Dench, Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, William Hurt, Daniel Craig, Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Fassbender to name but a few.
It’s the very history of this wonderful building which entices producers, site teams and visitors alike.
Present-day Haddon Hall dates from the 12th Century to the early 17th Century, whereupon it lay dormant for over two hundred years from 1700 until the 1920s, when the 9th Duke and Duchess of Rutland restored the house and gardens, and once again made it habitable.
The Hall was extended gradually all those years ago; the Peveril Tower in the 12th century, the cross-wing in the 14th, battlements in the 15th, a gatehouse and courtyard in the 16th and the Long Gallery early in the 17th century. Enjoying fine Tudor and Elizabethan architecture, the Hall contains an abundance of outstanding features, such as; ancient 16th century gargoyles, Venetian Bombée glass with etchings that were carved with diamond rings and a magnificent collection of English, Flemish and French tapestries.
Interest in Haddon Hall as a film location has shown no sign of waning, with each season offering a totally different feel and atmosphere on set. As well as Gunpowder, which airs later this month, Haddon Hall is most likely to continue appearing on television screens well into the future.
