Medieval Hearth

One of our few scents that takes a more literal take on its inspiration. Medieval Hearth is designed to transport you to sitting beside a roaring wood fire. Think embers snapping in the grate, warm and worn stone and a cosy book or two.

Few historic houses capture the atmosphere of England’s past quite like Haddon Hall. Nestled among the rolling hills of Derbyshire and overlooking the River Wye, the house stands as one of the most remarkably preserved medieval and Tudor residences in the country. While many great houses were dramatically altered in later centuries to follow new architectural fashions, Haddon Hall escaped such transformation. As a result it offers a rare and evocative glimpse into the domestic life of England across several centuries.

The origins of Haddon Hall stretch deep into the medieval period. The earliest parts of the structure date to the eleventh and twelfth centuries, when the estate was held by the Vernon family, one of the most influential landowning dynasties in the region. Over time the house grew gradually, with successive generations expanding and refining the building to reflect both their status and the architectural styles of the era.

Rather than being constructed all at once, Haddon Hall evolved organically. Medieval halls, chambers, kitchens, and courtyards were added across generations, creating the distinctive arrangement that survives today. Walking through the house reveals a layered history in stone, timber, and leaded glass. Each room reflects a different moment in the story of the estate.

At the heart of the house lies the great hall, the traditional centre of medieval domestic life. In such halls the lord of the manor would dine with his household, administer estate matters, and host guests. The hall at Haddon retains its original sense of scale and atmosphere, with its high timber roof and long dining tables that evoke the rhythms of life in a medieval household.

As England moved into the Tudor period, the house continued to evolve. The Vernons added more private chambers and refined living spaces, reflecting the changing expectations of aristocratic comfort. These developments mirrored broader shifts in English domestic architecture, where large communal halls gradually gave way to more intimate and specialised rooms.

One of the most celebrated features of Haddon Hall is the Long Gallery, an elegant addition that reflects the tastes of the late Tudor period. Long galleries became fashionable among the English nobility during the sixteenth century, serving both as spaces for exercise during poor weather and as places where families could display portraits and tapestries.

The gallery at Haddon captures the quiet grandeur of this architectural trend. Light streams through tall windows along the length of the room, illuminating timber floors worn smooth by centuries of footsteps. It remains one of the most atmospheric interiors in any English country house.

Yet Haddon Hall is not merely an architectural treasure. It is also deeply woven into the stories and legends of the families who lived there. Perhaps the most famous tale concerns Dorothy Vernon, the daughter of Sir George Vernon in the sixteenth century.

According to tradition Dorothy fell in love with John Manners, 4th Earl of Rutland, a man her father supposedly disapproved of. Legend tells that during a grand ball at Haddon Hall, Dorothy slipped away unnoticed and fled across the terrace steps to meet Manners waiting below. The couple then rode away together and were later married.

Whether entirely true or embellished through centuries of storytelling, the tale has become inseparable from the identity of Haddon Hall. The stone steps said to have been used in Dorothy’s midnight escape are still known today as Dorothy Vernon’s Steps, adding a romantic layer to the estate’s already rich history.

Through Dorothy’s marriage the estate passed into the Manners family, whose descendants hold the title Duke of Rutland. Under their ownership Haddon Hall entered a long and unusual period of quiet preservation.

By the early eighteenth century the Manners family had shifted their principal residence to the grander Belvoir Castle. As a result Haddon Hall was rarely occupied for more than two hundred years. While this might have spelled decline for many historic buildings, in Haddon’s case it proved to be a remarkable stroke of fortune.

Because the house was not modernised to suit Georgian or Victorian tastes, its medieval and Tudor interiors remained largely untouched. Original tapestries, panelled walls, stone staircases, and timber roofs survived with little alteration. By the nineteenth century visitors were already recognising Haddon Hall as one of the most authentic survivals of England’s historic domestic architecture.

During the Victorian period the house underwent careful restoration rather than dramatic redesign. The aim was to preserve its historic character rather than reshape it according to contemporary fashion. This philosophy ensured that Haddon Hall retained its distinctive atmosphere and historical integrity.

Cedarwood, smoke, vanilla, moss and amber

Cedarwood:
Cedarwood boasts a rich history spanning millennia, utilized by ancient civilizations like the Sumerians and Egyptians for construction and even embalming due to its durability and natural resistance to decay. It held biblical significance in the construction of Jerusalem's Temples, symbolizing strength and longevity. Native American tribes, especially in the Pacific Northwest, valued cedar for crafting canoes, totem poles, and longhouses. Cedar chests gained popularity in the 20th century for their ability to repel insects. Today, cedar remains cherished for its aroma, durability, and resistance to decay, serving as a valuable resource in construction, furniture, and woodworking, while its historical importance endures worldwide.

Moss:
Moss has long held a quiet presence in the landscapes of the United Kingdom, thriving in its damp climate and shaded woodlands. In early Britain, it was valued for its practical uses — as insulation in dwellings, bedding, and even wound dressing due to its absorbent and antiseptic qualities. During the medieval period, moss was commonly employed to pack joints in timber buildings and line storage vessels. By the 18th and 19th centuries, as natural history became a national passion, mosses captivated collectors and botanists alike; figures such as Johann Dillenius and William Wilson helped establish bryology as a scientific discipline, recording and classifying Britain’s rich variety of moss species found in forests, moors, and stone walls across the isles.

Vanilla:
Vanilla, native to Mexico and Central America, reached Europe in the 16th century with Spanish explorers but remained rare for centuries, prized by the British elite for its exotic aroma and use in sweet drinks and desserts. Queen Elizabeth I was among its early admirers, helping it gain prestige. In the 19th century, Edmond Albius’s discovery of hand-pollination on Réunion revolutionised production, allowing cultivation in colonial regions such as Madagascar and Mauritius, which expanded British access. By the Victorian era, vanilla had become a hallmark of refinement, flavouring custards, puddings, and ice creams in homes across Britain.

Amber:
Amber, the fossilized resin of ancient trees, has a history spanning millions of years, dating back to the Eocene epoch. It was treasured in antiquity for its beauty and believed healing properties by the Greeks and Romans. During the Middle Ages, it was a luxury item, adorning objects like the famous Amber Room in Russia. In modern times, amber has unveiled ancient life forms, aiding our understanding of Earth's past. Today, it retains its value for its beauty, history, and scientific insights into ancient ecosystems.

Contains 6,7-Dihydro-1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyl-4(5H)-indanone. May cause an allergic skin reaction.