Hartshorne Upper Hall

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

- Extensive cellars, including a salting trough

- Historic stable and early 20th century wash-house

- Gardens including period plants labelled with historic uses

- Display of Tudor/Stuart era toys and games

- Costumed guides and demonstrators

- Costumed lutenist playing period-appropriate music on reproduction period instruments

- NEW for 2026! Display of English Civil Wars soldier’s clothes and equipment

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

Timings

Saturday 12 September:

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

Location & directions

10 Main Street, Hartshorne, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 7ES

Directions:

Hartshorne Upper Hall is on Main Street (A514), on the sharp bend near the Bull’s Head. Please park in the village/church car park on Manchester Lane, opposite the Bull’s Head, and walk 150 yards to the steps up to the front door.

Contact on day:

Catherine Rogers

Telephone number:

+447986527178

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please note that booking does not start until September 1st! For security and insurance reasons, only pre-booked parties will be admitted.

Booking contact name:

Catherine Rogers

Booking telephone number:

+447986527178

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking opens:

01 Sep 2026 09:00 AM

Booking closes:

10 Sep 2026 05:00 PM

Accessibility details

We welcome everyone regardless of mobility or disability. However, the house is on four levels and thus has many stairs, although those between the ground and first floor are relatively wide and shallow. Wide doorways downstairs enable most of the ground floor to be seen from a wheelchair. Slideshow of rest of house available. People with restricted mobility are welcome to park on the drive and enter by the back door, avoiding steps. (Please ring the doorbell as this door will be locked.)

Additional information

EXTRA FOR 2026 REFRESHMENTS BY BEN FEARN AND FAMILY, RAISING MONEY FOR AN EDUCATIONAL TRIP TO KENYA WITH A POSITIVE AID ELEMENT. HOME-MADE CAKES! PLEASE BRING CASH. Hazards on this site include uneven steps and floors, thresholds between rooms, low doorways, low light levels and naked flames. The garden and outbuildings can be visited before or after your house tour.

Max number of people:

6

Estimated duration:

0 hour(s) 55 minute(s)

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