The aristocratic owners of Melbourne Hall invite visitors to see a slice of the fascinating history of their elegant home. Discover exquisite examples of period furniture, a hoard of antiques and portraits of family members and the house’s previous residents. Enjoy the scenic solitude of the gardens and pond at Melbourne Hall.
Established in 1133, at the same time as the nearby Melbourne Parish Church, the house served as a rectory until the early 15th century. It then passed between the hands of laymen, such as Thomas Cromwell, before being acquired and turned into a family home by politician Sir John Coke. For almost 400 years, family members with links to Coke have lived here. They include a former prime minister, countesses, lords, ladies and noblemen.
The rooms highlight the wealth of the owners and their penchant for luxury lifestyles. Portraits, such as those of King George I, Queen Anne and one-time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom William Lamb, adorn the walls.
Note the recurrence of mahogany chairs, tables and other furniture pieces. See collections of modern glassware and porcelain tableware. Hundreds of antique tomes sit on the shelves of the library’s bookshelves.
Sweeping lawns, broad avenues and colorful flower displays characterize the garden, which is one of England’s finest examples of an 18th-century garden. Marvel at a wrought-iron gazebo and a hexagonal-shaped muniment room, used for storing important documents. Walk through a tunnel of yew trees, make a wish at the wishing well and see the house reflected perfectly in a pond. Sculptures of the Greek icons Andromeda and Perseus and an intricately carved vase depicting the four seasons are among several art pieces.
The house and garden sit to the east of Melbourne’s town center. Melbourne is a 25-minute drive from Derby and there’s a direct public bus service.
Melbourne Hall is open to visitors in August only and there’s an admission fee. Specific opening hours and information about guided tours are available on the attraction’s official website. The garden is open from April through September.
