Welbeck Abbey, the home of the Duke of Portland, is another of the important seats in the district, standing in the centre of one of the finest parks in the kingdom.  The mansion itself is not a showplace, but when the family is not in residence various parts of it are exhibited upon payment of 1s., any weekday except Saturday.  An extra shilling will enable the visitor to view the underground apartments.

The whole of the “Dukeries” district teems with interesting places, ancient and modern.  From Mansfield one may visit Hardwick Hall, Bolsover Castle, and Newstead Abbey, beloved of Byron (see Index), while Belvoir Castle (see Index) and Woolaton Hall are within easy distance.

[Illustration:  Photochrom Co., Ltd.

CLUMBER HOUSE

The seat of the Duke of Newcastle.  It was built in 1772.]

HADDON HALL, DERBYSHIRE

=How to get there.=—­Through train from St. Pancras or change at
  Derby.  Midland Railway.
=Nearest Station.=—­Rowsley (1-1/2 miles distant). =Distance from London.=—­149-1/2 miles. =Average Time.=—­4 to 4-1/3 hours.

                     1st 2nd 3rd
=Fares.=—­Single 19s. 11d. ... 12s. 4-1/2d. 
          Return 39s. 10d. ... 24s. 9d.

=Accommodation Obtainable.=—­At Bakewell—­“Rutland Arms Hotel,”
  “Red Lion,” “Castle,” etc.

Haddon Hall, the most perfect of baronial mansions existing in England, is situated in a wonderfully picturesque position on a limestone rock overlooking the river Wye in Derbyshire.  The manor was originally given by William the Conqueror to William Peveril, the famous “Peveril of the Peak” of Scott’s novel.  In the reign of Henry II. the lands reverted to the Crown, and the property was granted to the Avenalls, from whom it passed by marriage to the Vernons, of whom the last, Sir George, known as the “King of the Peak,” died in 1567.  His daughter, the celebrated Dorothy Vernon, married John Manners, son of the Earl of Rutland, and thus the property passed to the Rutland family, who are still the owners.

The mansion is approached by a small bridge crossing the river Wye, whence one enters, under a lofty archway, the first courtyard.  In this beautiful quadrangle one of the most interesting features is the chapel at the south-west corner.  This chapel, which is one of the oldest portions of the structure, is Norman, with some later work.  Almost opposite, on the left, is the magnificent porch and bay-window leading into the great hall.  It is exactly as it was in the days of the Vernons, with its dais and table at which the “lord of the feast” sat, its huge fireplace, timber roof, and minstrels’ gallery.  Adjoining it is the dining-room, a magnificent apartment erected by the “King of the Peak.”  Here there is a remarkably fine oriel window, richly ornamented with carving.