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Malfoy Manor is the permanent residence of the Malfoy family located in Wiltshire, England. During the Second Wizarding War, it became the permanent residence of Voldemort, where all Death Eater operations were decided upon and enacted. Prisoners who were captured by Death Eaters were housed in the dungeons that were a part of Malfoy Manor.
Malfoy Manor Quick Facts
| Location | Wiltshire, England |
| Owner | Malfoy Family |
| Known Affiliations | Malfoy Family
Voldemort Death Eaters |
| Residents |
|
| Last Updated | July 20, 2020 |
Malfoy Manor History
Malfoy Manor belonged to the Malfoy family for several centuries. It was allegedly a gift from King William I. The Malfoy family became one of the richest Wizarding families in Britain by annexing the nearby land of neighboring Muggles, collecting treasures and works of art, and ingratiating themselves into the surrounding non-magical community.
With the passing of the Statute of Secrecy, they could no longer fraternize with Muggles but instead used their wealth to influence decisions at the Ministry of Magic.
Every generation has passed down ownership of Malfoy Manor. While Lucius Malfoy lived at Malfoy Manor, he allowed it to serve as the headquarters for the death eaters.
During these meetings, regular discussions would occur regarding the Dual between Voldemort and Harry Potter and how to defeat Harry Potter. After escaping prison, Lucius Malfoy continued to offer his home as the headquarters, although he was very uncomfortable with it.
Voldemort presumably lived at Malfoy Manor along with Bellatrix Lestrange, resulting in the birth of their daughter Delphini at Malfoy Manor. Voldemort’s snake Nagini also lived at Malfoy Manor, where she was allowed to eat Charity Burbage, the former muggle studies professor at Hogwarts.
Malfoy Manor became a prison for Luna Lovegood, Dean Thomas, Griphook, and Ollivander. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger were brought to Malfoy Manor. Harry and Ron were kept in the cellar with the others while Bellatrix Lestrange tortured Hermione for information. Dobby helped all of them escape, but it cost him his life.
After the defeat of Voldemort, Lucius Malfoy maintained ownership over Malfoy Manor again, and eventually, it was passed to his son Draco Malfoy along with his wife and son, Scorpius.
Malfoy Manor Description
Small descriptions of the house come to light at several points throughout the series.
Drawing Room
The first is that there is a hidden compartment under the drawing room in which Lucius Malfoy hides many of his dark artifacts whenever officials come to raid the house.
The drawing room was also where the Death Eaters and Voldemort would hold regular meetings. It was likely the largest room in the house, with ceilings that were 30 ft high, two chandeliers, and a pipe organ at one end of the ornate table. One of the two chandeliers was destroyed when Dobby unscrewed it in order to facilitate the escape of all the prisoners.
The books noted that whenever Death Eaters had a meeting, all of the furniture was carelessly shoved against the walls.
The drawing room also contained an ornate marble mantel piece on top of which was located a gilded mirror. When Harry Potter was first captured and taken to Malfoy Manor, it was in this mirror that he caught a glimpse of his reflection after Hermione had jinxed him.
Cellar
In between being taken prisoner and escaping Malfoy Manor, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley were forced into the cellar where all of the other prisoners were being kept. This cellar was located directly under the drawing room, and it was the likely location of all the dark artifacts that the family stored when they were rated by the ministry.
The cellar contained nothing more than a water jug, food bowls, and a single nail which Ollivander, Dean Thomas, and Luna Lovegood used to undo their bonds.
The room was completely escape-proof and pitch dark, but when Harry and Ron arrived, they used the Deluminator to add light. Dobby the Elf was able to penetrate the cellar despite the security measures put into place and apparate out with Luna, Ollivander, and Dean before returning to drop the chandelier and help the others escape.
Entryway
Once inside Malfoy Manor, there was a sumptuously decorated entryway that contained carpets over most of the stone floor with several portraits lining the walls. The doors were heavy and wooden with antique bronze handles.
The Estate
The entire manor was described as very handsome, with many lights jutting out of the darkness. The estate contained formal gardens and a house.
Surrounding the house and the gardens were hedges too thick to see through and wrought iron gates that swung open inward when Death Eaters arrived.
Security parameters prevented anyone from apparating in or out of Malfoy Manor. Instead, they had to land right outside the driveway. The driveway between Malfoy Manor and the front gate contained several acres of trees, white peacocks roaming freely, fountains, and other decorations.
Malfoy Manor in Real Life
The exterior shot for the Malfoy Manor in the Harry Potter films was done at Hardwick Hall, a small country house from 1590 that included more windows than walls.
Hardwick Hall can be visited throughout the year, and the times change seasonally. In summer, for example, the entrance, garden, park, and restaurant all open at 9 am while the second-hand bookstore, shop, refreshment center, and main house don’t open until 11 am.
Estate
The estate houses beautiful views of the countryside, and you can take walks throughout. You can also check out the garden of flowers, orchards, and herbs.
Inside, the great hall is a popular stopping point as it juts out against the countryside. It takes on an Italian Renaissance Architecture that makes it very unique.
Collection
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Hardwick Hall is home to a lot of unique portraits, furniture, and needlework from the 16th and 17th centuries. You will also learn a lot about the businesswoman Bess of Hardwick.
Entertainment
In addition to the house and estate, there is The Barn, a restaurant where guests can enjoy meals, snacks, and freshly baked foods. There is also a shop with local and seasonal products. Book lovers will enjoy the second-hand bookstore with its rare collection.
Malfoy Manor Appearances in Books
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (first discussed)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Malfoy Manor Appearances in Films
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of secret (mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (included in promotional images)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hall: Part 2
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Play (mentioned only)
Malfoy Manor Quotes
Voldemort remarks on the discomfort felt by the Malfoy’s in allowing their manor to become the headquarters for the Death Eaters:
Lord Voldemort: “I have given you your liberty, Lucius, is that not enough for you? But I have noticed that you and your family seem less than happy of late… What is it about my presence in your home that displeases you, Lucius?”
Lucius Malfoy: “Nothing — nothing, my Lord!”
Lord Voldemort: “Such lies, Lucius…”
A description of the grounds as Severus enters Malfoy Manor:
“They turned right, into a wide driveway that led off the lane. The high hedge curved with them, running off into the distance beyond the pair of impressive wrought-iron gates barring the men’s way… the source of the noise proved to be nothing more than a pure-white peacock, stirring majestically along the top of the hedge.”
Your description of the hallway when Snape enters:
“The hallway was large, dimly lit and sumptuously decorated, with a magnificent carpet covering most of the stone floor. The eyes of the pale-faced portraits on the walls followed Snape and Yaxley as they strode past. The two men halted at a heavy wooden door leading into the next room, hesitated for the space of a heartbeat, then Snape turned the bronze handle.”
The manor from a distance:
“A handsome manor house grew out of the darkness at the end of the straight drive, lights glinting in the diamond-paned downstairs windows. Somewhere in the dark garden beyond the hedge a fountain was playing…”
A description of the drawing room where the Death Eaters met regularly:
“The drawing room was full of silent people, sitting at a long and ornate table…Illumination came from a roasting fire beneath a handsome marble mantelpiece surmounted by a gilded mirror.”
The cellar, where prisoners were held:
“They were forced down a steep flight of stairs, still tied back-to-back and in danger of slipping and breaking their necks at any moment. At the bottom was a heavy door. Greyback unlocked it with a tap of his wand, then forced them into a dank and musty room and left them in total darkness.”
Bellatrix upon the capture of Harry, Hermione, and Ron:
Bellatrix Lestrange: “Wait. All except… except for the Mudblood.”
Ron Weasley: “No! You can have me, keep me!”
Bellatrix Lestrange: “If she dies under questioning, I’ll take you next. Blood traitor is next to Mudblood in my book. Take them downstairs, Greyback, and make sure they are secure, but do nothing more to them — yet.”
FAQs
Answer: Hardwick Hall, in Derbyshire, England, was the location used for filming the exterior of Malfoy Manor.
Answer: Hardwick Hall can be visited in real life. You can check their website for hours of operation and tickets.
Answer: There are several reasons why Voldemort may have chosen Malfoy Manor as his base of operations, namely because it belonged to one of the wealthiest pure-blood families.
He needed a place he could trust, which meant it had to be the home of a Death Eater, and Lucius Malfoy was not only one of the wealthiest but one of the closest. It was already covered in significant magical protection put in place by Lucius, which increased its appeal.
Sources:
• Amazon