It is really hot here today.  Not as hot as some parts of the World of course but hot for us!  88°F today and tomorrow it is forecast to be the same and not dropping much below.  I am so glad I had Treacle cut shorter as she is coping with the heat well.  Can’t say the same for the rest of us!

Tissington Hall

The same could not be said for the weather on Saturday when DH and I went looking for the craft fair.  It was held in the Village Hall at Tissington, a very pretty village in the Derbyshire Peak District.  We got there and the rain had stopped just for us to walk from the car park to the village hall.  The craft fair took us a long time to got round it; a minute at most.  There were four tables, two of which were jewellery, and that was it!  The stallholders were more interested in talking to each other than the one other person in there and us!!!!  I don’t think I will be going there.

“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. Sir Richard 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. The Family welcome visitors from near and far every year and all the staff will ensure your visit is a special one.” (http://www.tissingtonhall.co.uk)

The first picture of the hall was taken out of the car window as it was raining heavily by the time we were leaving but the above picture is from the Tissington website.

Sir Richard Fitzherbert, 9th Baronet

Sir Richard can often be found taking a shift at Herbert’s Tearooms, as he was on Saturday when we were there.

However DH and I had a lovely walk round the village.  Here is the Duck Pond.

Outside the Tea Rooms there was a youth band from Surrey playing and they were very good.

DH and I had lunch in the tea rooms inside as all the tables were occupied outside.

This is the village well

One of the properties next to the Hall.  You can see how green the grass is, thanks to all the rain we have had.

I have been to Tissington Hall quite a few times, twice in a private capacity.  Whilst I was working as a legal secretary my ultimate boss was friends with the 8th Baronet, Sir John Fitzherbert, and the legal firm drew up his Will, which had to be signed and then witnessed by his secretary and myself.  This was before Tissington was opened to the public and we got to go up one snowy winter’s afternoon where our boss had afternoon tea with Sir John and his secretary and I had afternoon tea in the library served by the Butler.  It was like stepping into Pride and Prejudice!  It is an amazing memory. 

My second private visit was when I was expecting Youngest and Ladies Circle had a private tour around the hall by Sir Richard, nine years after taking over from his Uncle Sir John when he passed away.  It was a splendid evening.

Here is Youngest when he was presented with his Gold Scout Award by Sir Richard.

I hope you all had a great weekend and if it is hot where you are remember to drink plenty of water.

Hugs, Susie x