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Kirby Hall

Listening to the Audio Tour at Kirby Hall
Listening to the Audio Tour at Kirby Hall (c) English Heritage
West Front and Parterre - West Front and Parterre (c) View through forecourt entrance toward inner court gateway. - View through forecourt entrance toward inner court gateway. (c) Peacock in property garden - Peacock in property garden (c) Peacock in property garden - Peacock in property garden (c) Looking across the Courtyard - Looking across the Courtyard (c) The Front Section from within the Courtyard - The Front Section from within the Courtyard (c) Listening to the Audio Tour at Kirby Hall - Listening to the Audio Tour at Kirby Hall (c) The Main Staircase - The Main Staircase (c) Looking out across the garden from inside Kirby Hall - Looking out across the garden from inside Kirby Hall (c)

Kirby Hall is one of England's greatest Elizabethan and 17th- century houses. Begun by Sir Humphrey Stafford, it was purchased by Sir Christopher Hatton, one of Queen Elizabeth's 'comely young men' and later her Lord Chancellor. Hatton hoped in vain to receive the Queen here during one of her annual 'progresses' around the country. Although this vast mansion is partly roofless, most of its walls survive to their full impressive height: so does the prodigious three-tier inner porch, begun following French pattern books and later embellished in the Classical style by the sculptor Nicholas Stone.

Kirby Hall's exceptionally rich decoration proclaims that its successive owners were always in the forefront of new ideas about architecture and design. The Great Hall and state rooms remain intact, refitted and redecorated to authentic 17th- and 18th-century specifications.

Sir Christopher Hatton the Fourth added the great gardens (described as 'ye finest garden in England') in the late 17th century. The gardens and ground floor of the mansion are easily accessible by wheelchair users.

An audio tour guides visitors through the house and gardens, accompanied by commentaries from experts in garden history, conservation and country houses.

fJane Austen's Mansfield Park (1999) and Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story (2005).

www.english-heritage.org.uk/kirbyhall

Opening Times:

April 2009 to March 2010Opening TimesOpening Days
1 Apr-30 Jun 10am-5pm Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1 Jul-31 Aug 10am-5pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1 Sep-1 Nov 10am-5pm Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
2 Nov-31 Mar 12pm-4pm Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
Closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan  
May close early for private events. Please call to check  

How much does it cost?

Adult:
£5.00
Children:
£2.50
Concession:
£4.30
English Heritage Members:
Other:
Family Ticket: £12.50

How do I get there?

Address:
Northamptonshire - NN17 3EN
Road Access:
On an unclassified road off A43, 4 miles NE of Corby
Train Access:
Kettering 11 miles
Map Location:
Telephone:
01536 203230

What facilities are available?

Facilities Available:
Parking Suitable for people with disabilities Guidebooks Dogs allowed on leads Audio tours (included in admission price) Shop Picnic area Events Hazardous Family Learning Gardens Admission free for Overseas Vistor Pass holders Male Toilets Female Toilets
Facilities Details:
Toilets: WCs adapted for disabled visitors.
Shop/display: Level access.
Refreshments: Drinks and snacks available from shop. Picnics welcome in grounds.
Access:
Access to hall: Via impacted gravel path from main gate. Whole ground floor easily accessible to wheelchair users. Great West Staircase is suitable for most ambulant disabled visitors. Chairs available in some rooms.
Gardens: All accessible via impacted gravel paths and smooth grass. Alternative entrance from forecourt to gain entry to garden.
Parking:
100m from entrance via difficult surfaces in car park. Disabled visitors can be set down just outside the entrance.

What facilities are available for groups?

Group Discount:
15% discount for groups of 11 or more plus a free place for every additional 20 paying passengers. Free entry for coach driver and tour leader.
Coach Parking Facilities:
Please contact the Visitor Operations Site Supervisor on +44 (0)1536 203230.
Group Booking:
Free coach parking 250 metres from site entrance
Average Length of Visit:
2 hours.

Further Info

Dogs on leads only in restricted areas; Disabled access (grounds, gardens and ground floor only).
Managed By: English Heritage
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