On a hilltop between Chesterfield and Mansfield sits a glorious Elizabethan country house by the name of Hardwick Hall. Its name originates from its first owner in the 16th c., Bess of Hardwick. Bess was known for being the second richest woman in England at the time, only superseded by the queen. Hardwick Hall Castle very much portrays Bess’s wealth and power, standing so majestically in the Derbyshire rural land.
The architecture is Renaissance influenced, where it was built at a time where the style started showing traces in England, coming from Florence. From the outside you can enjoy different landscapes and views as there is a large garden to explore. The green spaces engulf a vegetable and herb garden as well as an orchid, taking you a good few hours to go through it all. If you’re caught out on a sunny day you might even want to have a picnic and embark upon some ball sports.
There is a lot of history to explore inside as well. Hardwick Hall Castle and Gardens has been owned by the National Trust since 1959, and has been open to the public since. Other than the splendid architecture and spacious rooms, the house has many collections of tapestry and furniture that have been untouched.
Located in the picturesque landscape of Derbyshire, Hardwick Hall Castle and Gardens is perfectly located for an experience of a natural setting. The easiest way to get here is exiting at junction 28 on the M1 onto Deep Ln. The house will be signposted al-through. There is ample parking at Hardwick Hall Castle and Gardens, so you won’t have to worry at all about that.
Have a look at the restaurants near Hardwick Hall Castle and Gardens chosen just for you by Go dine. There is an extensive list of delicious places to eat near Hardwick Hall Castle and Gardens, all within a 15 mile radius making it very accessible. Browsing through the menu will give you an idea of what’s on offer, but the reviews just below will be the deal breaker on what it’s really like to eat at that restaurant. Go dine offers the best possible service to make sure you know everything there is to know about restaurants around Hardwick Hall Castle and Gardens.
Did you know that there is a collection of embroidery inside which was originally the work of Bess of Hardwick herself?