Haddon Hall Mercatum

Haddon Hall near Bakewell in Derbyshire is one of the oldest houses in the country and has been under the ownership of one family for its entire existence. Having lain empty for nearly 200 years it avoided being altered by the Georgian’s and Victorian's and remains very much as it would have looked in the 1700’s before the family moved to their main seat, Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire.

Throughout dates in November and December, Haddon hold their Mercatum Christmas artisan market – and it is gorgeous!

This was the first year I had been having seen it advertised on social media and I decided to kick off my Christmas with a little solo outing.

The market is housed both inside and outside with smart wooden sheds in the grounds and courtyard housing a wide variety of makers and food stops. Inside there are stalls set up throughout the house, both upstairs and downstairs with stalls tucked away down fairy light adorned corridors and through low doorways giving the impression of a beautiful souk full of gorgeous handmade items.

The house itself is beautifully decorated for Christmas all throughout with trees, fairy lights and dried flowers all nestled amongst 15^th century tapestries and elaborate ceilings.

The quality of the makers at the market was incredibly high from jewellers to ceramics to clock makers and gin distilleries. I could have bought so much more than I did although I did walk away with a beautiful pair of porcelain earrings from Earth Paper Fibre.

As a lovely day out for Mum it was great, I would hesitate to take a toddler with me though. The house is full of very old and very beautiful things and there are steps and steep ramps inside and out. I would be too worried about him trying to explore places he shouldn't or damaging items, its also pretty inaccessible with a pushchair.

Tickets cost £12 per person although looking at the website it has sold out for this year but definitely keep an eye out for next year.

www.haddonhall.co.uk