Tissington Hall, Derbyshire

Tissington Hall was built in 1609 by Francis FitzHerbert to replace the moated fortification that guarded the Norman Church of St Mary’s in the centre of the village.

For over 400 years the Hall has presided over this picturesque Estate Village which is five miles north of the delightful market town of Ashbourne at the southern tip of the Peak District.

Over the centuries many wings have been added to the core structure of the house most notably by Joseph Pickford of Derby in the late 18th century and then, around 1900, by the eminent architect Arnold Mitchell who constructed the library and billiard room which protrude from the western side. The house has fine panelling, a collection of old masters, a 3017-volume library with C19 photo albums, a ten-acre garden and an arboretum.

Sir Richard FitzHerbert inherited the estate and hall in 1989. He lives there with his wife Fiona and it is a home to the four children, six dogs, two cats and a plethora of other animals. Tissington, with its rich history dating back to the eleventh century, is unique in that it is one of only 300 homes in the country that can boast that fact that the descendants of the original builder still live there, 400 years later. 

Tickets £40 including a tour of the house and grounds led by Sir Richard FitzHerbert and a cream tea in the main hall.