Kedleston Hall and Estate near Derby, nestled in the scenic Derbyshire countryside, offers a perfect blend of 18th-century ambition and 800 acres of spectacular parkland. From the breathtaking, marble-columned grand mansion designed to rival the finest Roman palaces to the sweeping woodland trails, vibrant formal gardens, and historic church, it is an essential stop for families and history lovers exploring Derbyshire.

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In this post:

1. Introduction
2. Our Kedlestone adventure: Exploring the Estate & Hall
   1. Exploring the Kedleston Estate:
   2. The Gardens and Courtyard:
   3. Stepping Inside Kedleston Hall:
3. Planning Your Visit
4. Final Thoughts
   1. Join the Conversation
   2. Stay Updated

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Introduction

For the early May bank holiday weekend, we escaped to Derbyshire for a couple of days. We spent our first day exploring Hardwick Hall and Estate, which we absolutely loved. The next morning brought cloudier skies, but we didn’t let that stop us. We headed out for another little adventure, this time discovering the beautiful Kedleston Hall and Estate.

Read about Hardwick Estate here

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Our Kedlestone adventure: Exploring the Estate & Hall

Exploring the Kedleston Estate:

We started our day by exploring the vast estate grounds. A helpful map at the entrance showed all the walking paths in the estate and colour-coded arrows along the paths make navigation a breeze. We opted for the short walk through the woods. The path was wide, flat, and absolutely perfect for families traveling with a pushchair or a balance bike like us. Along the way, we encountered beautiful viewpoints that made for a incredibly relaxing stroll. This current peaceful parkland has actually a dramatic history. Sir Nathaniel Curzon commissioned the estate in 1759, and he actually cleared away the entire medieval village of Kedleston just to create this unobstructed, grand landscape.

The Gardens and Courtyard:

Following our walk, we headed towards the formal gardens. We wandered past the garden borders, which were neatly planted with bright spring flowers. In the distance, we could see rolling green fields full of little sheep grazing. The garden borders a historic graveyard, where we stepped inside the charming, 12th-century All Saints Church. This is the only structure left standing from the original medieval village. Afterward, we roamed the bustling courtyard and popped into the estate bookshop.

Stepping Inside Kedleston Hall:

We concluded our visit by heading inside the spectacular Kedleston Hall itself. I honestly found it even more impressive than Hardwick Hall. The main reception area, known as the Marble Hall, completely takes your breath away. It is lined with 20 massive, intricately carved columns. While they look like marble, they are actually made of solid, locally-quarried Derbyshire alabaster. The entire hall is so sumptuous and richly decorated by the famous architect Robert Adam that it is hard to absorb every single detail. Curzon built this massive powerhouse specifically to rival the famous Chatsworth House nearby.

Church and facade of Kedleston Hall

Some of the beautiful ceilings

While it was a bit busy, the experience was still thoroughly enjoyable. This National Trust property was another lovely find and a fantastic destination for a family day adventure. It was the perfect grand finale to our short weekend getaway in Derbyshire.

Some of the stunning rooms

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Planning Your Visit

• 📍 Location & Parking: Use DE22 5JD for the main entrance car park (do not use the postal code, or sat-navs will take you to the wrong gate). Parking is free for National Trust members. Non-members pay an admission fee at the main gate.
• 🎫 Entrance: Fees apply to non-members of the National Trust. Entry is completely free for members.
• 🍴 Food: The restaurant is located in the historic kitchen and serves hot lunch options, snacks, and sweet treats like cream teas. Outdoor seating is available for enjoying coffee and cakes on the lawn. Plenty of picnic areas are scattered across the estate grounds.
• 🛍️ Shopping: A National Trust gift shop is located inside the main Hall (accessible via a step-free route). A dedicated second-hand bookshop is located in the stableyard and features a large children’s book section.
• 🚽 Facilities: Fully accessible toilets, baby-changing stations, and induction loops are available on-site. A wheelchair-accessible shuttle bus operates between visitor reception and the Hall.
• ⏰ Opening Times: The main grounds and gates open at 09:00 am and lock at 05:00 pm. The gift shop and second-hand bookshop are open daily from 11:00 am to 04:00 pm. The main Hall is open from 11:00 am to 04:00 pm (with last entry at 03:15 pm).
• 👶 Child Friendliness: Great for families, featuring 800 acres of parkland to explore. The short woodland walk is wide, flat, and ideal for toddlers with balance bikes or families using pushchairs. Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere across the site.
• 🐾 Dog Friendliness: Dogs are welcome on the estate walks but must be kept on leads due to livestock grazing in the fields. Only assistance dogs are permitted inside the Hall, shops, restaurant, and toilets. Water bowls are provided near the restaurant.
• 🌐 Official Website: Check the official National Trust Kedleston Hall Page for seasonal hour adjustments and upcoming family event details.

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Final Thoughts

Join the Conversation

Have you visited Kedlestone Hall & Estate? Do you think it is a place you would like to explore?

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