Places to see: Hardwick

Hardwick Hall - New and Old

For a wonderful day out in the Derbyshire countryside, head to Hardwick where you will find the Old and New halls both with so many stories to tell. Bess of Hardwick first created Hardwick in the 1500's, she was a close friend of Queen Elizabeth First and wanted her granddaughter to marry into the Royal family..........!

I decided to visit the Old Hall first, and although it is mostly ruins, there are so many stories to uncover. With the help of Walkie Talkie/Head Sets, you have the scene set in many rooms; so you can lose yourself in the history of the place.

Enter through the huge wooden gates and see an area that has been there for almost 500 years.

Learn of Bess's ambitions, how she wanted to make Hardwick one of the finest houses in Britain - she was the most wealthy woman after the Queen. She had been born in the Old Hall, and after she had had the New Hall built - it was used for guests.

One of the most impressive features of the Old Hall, are the fragments of plaster work - especially above some of the fireplaces. The remaining plaster is protected with a rain proof coating.

Amazing views over the Derbyshire countryside and over to the New hall in the opposite direction.

Once you have seen the Old Hall, it is time for the New Hall; a residence planned to be a statement of Bess's wealth and power. The numerous huge windows, which were installed when glass was a luxury, made many people say that Hardwick was "more glass than wall". It was fashioned as a Renaissance type building, a style that came over from Florence; and has 3 main storeys - each with higher ceilings that the one below.

The lawns and gardens are so well kept - the herbaceous borders are alive with colour in the summer months - making a glorious picture from any side of the front lawn which is surrounded by high protective walls.

Once you enter the house itself, make sure you have plenty of time; there are so many rooms that are open to the public. Look out for the beautiful carved woodwork and tapestries that adorn the walls. I have never seen so many tapestries................!

There is a whole section that tells the story of how Bess wanted her granddaughter to marry into the Royal family, and how Arbella fought against her Grandmother's wishes.

There is a section that is dedicated to sewing and embroidery - this is an embroidered carpet which was made in 1579 .

Up the stone staircase, you will find amazing rooms filled with more original furniture and wall coverings.

In the Long Gallery there are some incredible paintings; I especially liked this one of Mary Queen of Scots who was the cause of such friction between Bess and her third husband (after he assumed responsibility for her during her 18 years imprisonment).

I loved this next room, with its spectacular plaster frieze depicting hunting scenes. It went so far around the room and really captured the idea of being in the forest.

The bedrooms were quite magnificent, again with original tapestries hanging on the walls.

Bess commissioned hangings depicting Classical Stories and ideals bought to life by the Renaissance. Chaucer's work "The Legend of Good Women" referred to Penelope, Lucretia and Cleopatra - shown in some of the work here. They were supposed to reflect Bess's attitude to education and life, and to be an indication of her wealth and status.

Many of the newer rooms have been opened up by the trust, to show what life was like right up to when it was acquired by the National Trust in 1959; after the unexpected death of the 10th Duke of Devonshire and the subsequent death duties that caused the sale of many of the Devonshire's assets.

Back outside, there are more gardens at the side and rear of the house; overlooking the extensive parkland and open countryside.

Back towards the car park, you will find several places to get refreshments, to browse in the gift shop or to buy a locally grown plant or two.

If you still have any time or energy left, there are several walks around the estate ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 miles; head down to one of the Ponds - there is parking down there if you don't want to walk. Or you can always come back another time and see more of the grounds.