Time for coffee and cake

It's hard to believe that it is September already but as the weather takes a sudden autumnal turn, our attention is turning to our annual Macmillan Coffee morning.  This year's coffee morning will be held on Friday 25th September between 10.30am and 12noon.

As usual, tea, coffee and cakes will be served in the stunning Entrance Hall to Renishaw with raffles, second-hand book stalls and more to keep you entertained.  It's the perfect opportunity to treat yourself, in the knowledge that all money raised goes to Macmillan Cancer Support.

The office is already groaning beneath the weight of raffle prizes and book donations and the staff and volunteers are digging out their favourite recipes as preparations are made.  It's an occasion not to be missed and a fitting finale to a great season.

You can make a full day of it as we offer the final Public Hall Tours of the season at 1pm and 2.30pm, a Vineyard Tour with manager Kieron Atkinson at 1pm and of course, the beautiful award winning gardens to explore. 

For more information or to book onto one of the tours, contact the Events Office on 01246 432310 or enquiries@renishaw-hall.co.uk.

All the fun of the Food and Craft Fair

Our annual Food and Craft Fair is almost upon us and the Events Office is a hive of activity as we make last minute preparations for the event.  It is set to be a day to remember as we welcome an amazing array of stalls.

We're very excited to have added local musician Adam Parrish to our line up.  Adam will be performing in front of the stable-block courtyard from around lunchtime performing a variety of music.

Once in the courtyard, we really do have something for everyone.  Whether you want up-cycled furniture, handcrafted home wares or soft furnishings, you'll find it here.  If you want to splash out and treat yourself to some handmade bath products or a new unique piece of handcrafted jewelry, you're also in luck.  You will also be supporting local small businesses, so it would be rude not to!  You could even make a head start on Christmas shopping!

For younger (and young at heart) visitors we will have face-painting, glitter tattoos and henna tattoos in the Rex Whistler rooms.

When all that shopping works up an appetite you can pick from the wide range of sweet treats available, with everything from cakes, brownies and muffins and homemade fudge to the more decadent artisan chocolates.  f you don't have a sweet tooth, fret not as there will also be savoury options with smoked meats, fish and chartuterie goods on sale.  We in the Visitor Centre are particularly excited about Oooh La Laa who will be serving up savoury and sweet crepes.  Of course, no food and craft fair is complete without a selection of preserves, cakes and oils to take home. If you're wanting something the Gallery Cafe will be open serving lunch from 12noon until 2.30pm, plus snacks and afternoon tea throughout the day, if you want something more substantial.

We are all really looking forward to it; lets just hope the weather holds out!  Hope to see you all there.


The Fair runs from 10.30am until 4pm.  Entry is FREE.  A £1 car parking fee is payable on the gate.

The gardens are open 10.30am until 4.30pm.  Normal admission applies.

Hall Tours are available at 1pm and 2.30pm.  Booking is advisable.

For more information, please contact the Events Office on 01246 432310 or enquiries@renishaw-hall.co.uk

Time for Strawberry Tea!

Summer is officially here, so it seems fitting that we are busy preparing for this year's Strawberry Tea.  The event, in aid of Breast Cancer Care, is due to take place on Thursday 16th July.  Tea and cake will be served against the stunning backdrop of the stable block courtyard.

Staff and volunteers are busy raiding the cookery books in search of the perfect cakes to serve and the Events Office disappearing beneath a mountain of raffle and tombola prizes.

We are also busy planning other activities for the day, last year we had a second hand book stall and stalls selling cakes and jams to take home.  Watch this space to find out what we will have in store for this year!

It promises to be a really fun day and what's more, it's for a fantastic cause.  We hope to see you all there!

 

For more information, contact the Events Office on 01246 432310 or enquiries@renishaw-hall.co.uk.

 

Make your Father's Day at Renishaw Hall

Father's Day is just around the corner, so you've probably begun to put some thought into gifts.  Here at Renishaw, we have the perfect gift for every dad with not a pair of socks in sight!

A special day out

The gardens are an obvious place to start if you are looking to spoil your dad.  Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10.30am - 4.30pm, the award winning gardens offer the perfect relaxing day for all the family.  Why not make the day extra special and treat him to lunch or afternoon tea in the Gallery Café, too?

A gift that lasts

Did you know that you can get a Renishaw Hall and Gardens season ticket? There are several options, from single passes to family passes with prices starting at just £32.

Your season ticket entitles you to unlimited garden entry, one Guided Hall Tour per member with  plus free car parking for each visit.  For 2015 we have teamed up with Chrysalis Photography (who operate from the stable-block ) and every Season Ticket Holder gets a complimentary photo-shoot with one framed print!

Buy in the Visitor Centre or by contacting the Events Office*.

Plants

If visiting our gardens inspires, you can pick out the perfect plant for green-fingered dad's in our plant sales area behind the Visitor Centre.  With a range of plants from roses, fruit trees and smaller plants, there's something for every type of garden and gardener!

A Hall Tour

If your dad is interested in art or history, a Hall Tour makes a brilliant gift.  Priced at just £12.75 or £11.75 for a concession (over 60), tickets include a tour of the Hall with one of our knowledgeable  guides plus entrance to the garden.  Gift tickets can be left open for recipients to book a suitable time and date.  Hall Tours are held each Friday at 1pm and 2.30pm plus weekends in August.

Purchase in the Visitor Centre or by contacting the Events Office*.

Guide book

Renishaw Hall's new guidebook offers a fascinating insight into the Hall and gardens while giving a detailed look into the fascinating history of the Sitwell family.  Brand new for the 2015 season, the book showcases superb pictures of the interior and exterior and is written by historian and author Jeremy Musson.

You can purchase in the Visitor Centre or by contacting the Events Office*. Priced just £6.99.

Renishaw Hall wine

A bottle - or two - of Renishaw vineyard's own wine makes the perfect present. Managed by Kieron Atkinson, the vineyard produces award-winning white, rose and red varieties.  The sparkling is enough to rival Prosecco and champagne!

You can buy in the Visitor Centre.  The still is £10.95, the sparkling £21.95.

*For further information about any of these options, or to purchase contact the Events Office on 01246 432310 or enquiries@renishaw-hall.co.uk.

Exciting Times

 

 





The entrance to the plant fair.

We had a record turnout for the first of our bi-annual Plant Fairs   on    Sunday 10th May.  The sun stayed out all day and everyone had a fantastic time. Visitors were in great company; the eagle-eyed amongst them may have spotted Rob from the BBC2s Big Allotment Challenge stocking up on plants.  He live-tweeted from the event, so check out his twitter feed for some extra behind-the-scenes pictures.

 

Remember to mark the next Plant Fair - held on 9th August -  on your calendar!



Alexandra Hayward, David Kesteven and the
gardeners are presented with the plaque.

The Plant Fair isn't the only excitement we've had this May; on Tuesday 5th May we were presented with the HHA Garden of the Year award.  The presentation took place on the patio, looking out onto the stunning gardens and was followed with a private tour of the award winning gardens with Head Gardener, David Kesteven.  

 

Renishaw's own Sparkling Wine was flowing (unfortunately, not for staff) and there was a buzz of excitement in the air as the guests enjoyed a lavish celebratory lunch.  Thank you to everyone at HHA and Christies for helping to make it such a memorable day and of course to all the visitors who help to make Renishaw what it is.

 

The award is now displayed in the entrance to the stable courtyard, outside the Sitwell Museum, so that it can be enjoyed by all visitors to Renishaw. 

 

There is still plenty to look forward to here at Renishaw over the coming months, including the Lord Conyers Morris Men in and around the garden next Sunday 24th May in time for the Bank Holiday weekend.

 



 Photo credits:  Angela Schorah

 

 

Busy, busy, busy!

Everything has been a bit of a blur over the last few weeks as we busily prepare for a hectic and exciting few weeks.  On Tuesday we will be presented with the HHA/Christies Garden of the Year award!  We think the award is more than deserved and we can't wait to display the plaque in the gardens.  On Tuesday we will also open for the National Garden Scheme - normal admission fees apply, but all monies collected will be donated to the NGS who divide money raised between nursing and caring charities.


The selection of goods on sale in the Visitor Centre.

The Visitor Centre is undergoing something of a makeover as we expand our stock list.  We now stock Bluebells ice cream.  We have a range of tubs which are perfect as the weather warms up. Make sure you stop by the Visitor Centre  (if the staff don't eat them all first!).  Also, due to popular demand, we have expanded the range of Artisan Biscuits we offer to include snack-size packs.  To wash them down with, we also have a selection of soft drinks and bottled water.



Hot off the press: the new Guide Book!

As exciting as all of this is, the pièce de résistance is the brand new Renishaw Hall guidebook.  It looks absolutely magnificent and is now on sale after a long journey to production.  With a fascinating overview of the history of the Sitwell family and the house and gardens accompanied by wonderful photographs from the house and gardens, it makes a perfect memento of your visit whether you're a one-time tourist or a seasoned regular visitor. Don't forget to buy yours in the Visitor Centre.

Coming up next weekend on Sunday 10th May, is the first of this year's Specialist Plant Fairs which is always a busy, popular time.  Last year, despite torrential downpours, visitors flocked to buy the specialist and rare plants on offer. We've got everything crossed for a better forecast this time! Entry is £2 or free with normal garden admission.



Just a fraction of the bluebells here at Renishaw.

The bluebells are also out in force, and according to several visitors, the best ever!  Head down to our woodland area and lakes and allow your senses to be overcome with the wonderful aroma and the stunning sight of bluebells stretching as far as you can see.  We anticipate them being at their best for the next week or so, so don't miss out!

The Derbyshire Literature Festival comes to Renishaw!

In May, Renishaw Hall will be Helen Mort playing its part in the Derbyshire Literary Festival with a full weekend of special events.

On Saturday 16th May, Derbyshire Poet Laureate, Helen Mort, will be hosting a writing workshop in the Rex Whistler Room.  Tickets are £10 and include access to the gardens and museum.  Find out more and buy tickets at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/festival. 



The magnificent library at Renishaw.

On Sunday 17th May, there will be the opportunity to delve into Renishaw's own literary history with a specialist Literary Hall Tour.  Renishaw's archivist, Christine Beevers will lead the tour, combining aspects of the general hall tour with a more detailed focus on the literary aspect.  Renishaw houses over 30, 000 books - more than enough to keep even the most avid reader busy - along with many fascinating letters and documents.  Renishaw also boasts the famous Literary Trio of Edith, Osbert and Sacheverell as part of it's fascinating history.

While the hall is open to the public regularly throughout the season, this is the first time the literary tour has been made open to the general public, making it an event not to be missed.   

Tickets are £16 per person and include access to the award winning gardens and the museum which gives a further  places are extremely limited, so pre-booking is advised to avoid disappointment.  Contact the events office on 01246 432310 or enquiries@renishaw-hall.co.uk for more information.