Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire reopens - but water problem is ongoing

A popular National Trust site near to Derby has reopened to the public following closure while an investigation into water quality on the site was being carried out. But an online notice on the Kedleston Hall website warns visitors "Please note, the water on site at Kedleston is switched off and alternatives are in place".

The hall was first closed to visitors on October 10 due to investigation work into the water quality at the site. The National Trust, which runs the 18th Century mansion house, closed the site "as a precaution" after a routine check found there could be bacteria in its water.

It then reopened on Monday, October 21 with the start of its programme of Lighting Up Kedleston for Diwali 2024 events. But a closure was put in force once more on Friday, October 25 and remained in place for several days.

The Lighting Up for Diwali celebrations are now continuing until November 17.

The property dates back to 1765 and was built by by Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Baron Scarsdale, to designs by the young Robert Adam, and was intended to pay homage to ancient Greece and Rome.

By the 1970s, Kedleston Hall had become too expensive for the Curzon family to maintain. When Richard Curzon, 2nd Viscount Scarsdale, died, his cousin Francis Curzon, 3rd Viscount Scarsdale, offered the house, park and gardens to the nation in lieu of death duties.

A deal was agreed with the National Trust that it should take over Kedleston, along with an endowment, while still allowing the family to live rent-free in the 23-room family wing, which contained an adjoining garden and two rent-free flats for servants or other family members. It is normally open to the public seven days a week.