Hardwick Hall, Info & Photos.
Days Out in Derbyshire - Hardwick Hall (NT)
Hardwick Hall is one of Britain's best and most complete Elizabethan houses, standing high in the Derbyshire hills overlooking the surrounding countryside. The house has remained nearly unchanged since it was built in 1597 for Elizabeth, Dowager Countess of Shrewsbury (known as Bess of Hardwick).
The hall houses a large collection of 16th century furniture as well as a huge collection of needle work and tapestries. Next to the Hall at Hardwick is the Walled Garden. This is split into four sections by long narrow lawns and hedges.
There's a formal lawn area with colourful flowered borders and large trees, an excellent herb garden, a meadow orchard and a normal orchard. The herb garden in particular is very good with a large selection of wonderfully 'smelly' plants. It's also much more colourful than many herb gardens. (lots of pictures below).
There's also a lake at Hardwick Hall, although it's difficult to reach from the main car park. The best way to get to the lake is to drive, just follow the exit road and turn right on exiting the estate. Then look for a right turn into Hardwick Park, it's then only a short flat walk to the lakes edge. However, it's not particularly peaceful because you're literally only a few yards from the M1 motorway - you can see and hear the traffic through the trees. So, nice visually but very noisy.
Features.
Elizabethan hall open to the public.
Cafes, Toilets, Shop
Walled Gardens
Lake
Restaurant
Cattle, Sheep
Address
Hardwick Hall
Doe Lea, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S44 5QJ
Telephone: 01246 850430
Opening Times Here (National Trust Site)
Photographs from Hardwick Hall & Gardens, Derbyshire
Hardwick Hall and Gardens (National Trust) - Links and MapCalke Abbey - Hall and Gardens National Trust - Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire |
Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire England Hardwick Hall Elizabethan mansion, Derbyshire, England |
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Links to Days Out in Derbyshire - The Peak District.
Derwent Valley - North Derbyshire
Derbyshire Peak District. You could very easily spend a whole day in the Derwent valley, a really lovely area at all times of year. A three reservoir network runs throughout the valley.
Longshaw Estate & Padley Gorge
North Peak District near Grindleford. Large expanse of moorland, woods and streams all within the Peak District National Park with loads of footpaths & mountain views.
Hardwick Hall
North Derbyshire near Chesterfield. Hardwick Hall is one of Britain's most complete Elizabethan houses. Large areas of parklands, orchard and herb garden to explore. The country park contains rare breeds of cattle and sheep.
Calke Abbey
A large Baroque mansion surrounded by 600 acres on parkland nature reserve. With beautiful walled flower and kitchen gardensNational Trust owned since 1980.
Markeaton Park
Markeaton Park in Derby was originally part of the Markeaton Hall Estate. Markeaton Park has a fairly large lake and mill pond with the usual collection of tame waterfowl. There are the many formal gardens filled with colorful flowers around a small fountain.
Carsington Water (Reservoir)
Carsington Water is a very large reservoir located between Matlock and Ashbourne in Derbyshire. A fairly new reservoir finished in the 1990's.
Dovedale Valley
A beautiful valley carved by the River Dove in the South of the Peak District. With lots of footpaths along the riverside and up the surrounding hills.
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