Since its creation as a hunting lodge nearly 400 years ago, the walls of Kiplin Hall have heard music of all kinds. From the trumpet of the hunting horn to scales and arpeggios on the piano, visitors are invited to follow the beat back through the centuries in a new music themed exhibition.

Alongside the exhibition a trail has been created in the historic rooms of the hall. Museum staff and volunteers were invited to share what music comes to mind when they think of a certain object, person, or place from Kiplin’s past. These notions have been collected and displayed in the hall with a digital link to the music playlist.

Visitors can listen to the track on their own smart device in the museum, or later at home, using the well-known app Spotify.

Today we look up at the ornate plaster ceiling in the library created in 1892, with House and Collections Officer Cathrien Van Hak. Cockerels are a common feature at Kiplin because they are an emblem of the Crowe family, members of which lived Kiplin from 1722 – 1868.

Cathrien is multi-lingual having grown up in The Netherlands so has different memories and ideas to other members of the team. “They (the cockerels) remind me of a children’s tune – Le Coq est Mort. The stained glass we found in the store during lockdown has a cockerel with the motto. This crowing is in the lyrics of the song too, cocococococo di co da.”

As well as cockerels the ceiling features lions, a symbol of the Talbot family. The last owner of Kiplin Hall was Bridget Talbot, credited with saving it for the national by leaving it in charitable trust on her death in 1971.

Join us next time as we explore the next stop on the trail. From a French folk song to The Wurzels! Kiplin Hall and Gardens is open 6 days a week, closed on Thursdays. For more information visit kiplinhall.co.uk. Visitors who wish to enjoy the Spotify trail in the museum are asked to bring their own headphones.