Hardwick Hall, maintained by The National Trust, is one of the most impressive Tudor houses in all England, well this is what the guidebooks say, and I have to agree. Although I have only visited once and it was raining or dull for most of the day, the place sparked my imagination and captured my history-loving heart.
Built in the late 16th Century, it is one of the earliest examples of the renaissance style. The architect, Robert Smythson also designed the wonderful Longleat House in Wiltshire. Hardwick sits at the end of a long driveway, high on a hill, looking out over the stunning Derbyshire countryside. The first view of the house is from the car park at the side, yet even from this position there is a sense of the dramatic history about to be discovered. At the front, from the gates, can be seen Hardwick Old Hall, now a ruin and managed by English Heritage, which can also be visited and is free to National Trust members. Two for the price of one, always a great combination. Through the gate leads to a lovely walled formal garden, this is where the detail and the beauty of the architecture really presents itself, the house draws its visitors in, eager to share all that it has witnessed throughout
the years.
Smythson used exceptionally large windows, as can be seen from the picture, at the time this was a sign of wealth, though unusual, it is not much of a surprise as the house was created for Bess of Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury. The extravagant window design led to the saying "Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall", I think that just about sums up the house perfectly, as it really demonstrates the social changes occuring, more stability in England, making it no longer necessary to fortify a place of residence. Bess was the second richest woman in England next to Queen Elizabeth I, herself, and was by all accounts, a fascinating and very resilient lady, for her personal history tells of much injustice and tragedy.
Inside the house, much of the furniture and other items can be dated right back to the 16th and 17th Centuries, making most of the items you see absolutely original. The great Hall, which was one of the first to be placed in the middle of the house rather than off to one side, is in my opinion, extraordinary enough to warrant a visit in itself. The room is on a huge scale for a Tudor building and the way the windows tower above is quite remarkable, I don't think I've ever felt so small in a house from this era. Hardwick also has an impressive stone staircase and some very fine state rooms, one of which is the Long Gallery, the largest in any English house. I find the charm of many Tudor buildings lies in their darkened, shadowy ambience and deep sense of lived-in mustiness created by small rooms, low ceilings and uneven floorboards, to my delight, despite its scale and opulence, somehow this atmosphere still lingers throughout Hardwick Hall.
Outside, the gardens and surrounding countryside is fantastic, somehow Derbyshire shines no matter what the weather. Surrounding the house are lovely herbacious borders, as well as a herb garden, a vegetable garden and an orchard. Further down the road is Hardwick farm, which can also be visited and enjoyed, children especially will enjoy that part of the visit with there being rare breeds of cattle and sheep. On the practical side, there is good wheelchair access and the whole place is family friendly, although I only discovered one set of toilets by the car park, which I find a little inadequate considering the size and extent of the property. Hopefully, they have done something about that in the time since my visit. Hardwick Old Hall is quite interesting as ruins go, certainly in that there is the opportunity to climb up three floors, using newly made wooden steps, providing amazing views over the rolling hills.
Hardwick Hall will provide a whole days worth of enjoyment for all those who enjoy looking round properties like this, if you've not been to somewhere like this before, then Hardwick Hall is a great place to start and well worth the visit.
OPENING TIMES
Hall 14 Mar-01 Nov 09 12-4:30 Wed-Sun 05 Dec-20 Dec 09 11-3:00 Sat-Sun
Garden 14 Mar-01 Nov 09 11-5:00 Wed-Sun 05 Dec-20 Nov 09 11-3:00 Sat-Sun
Parkland All year 8:30-5:30 Mon-Sun
PRICES
National Trust members: FREE Standard Admission prices in brackets: £10 (£9.09), child £5 (£4.54), family £25 (£22.72). Groups (£8.50). Garden only: £5 (£4.54), child £2.50 (£2.27), family £12.50 (£11.36). Joint ticket prices, Old and New Halls: £12.75 (£11.59). Fishing day tickets: £5. Season fishing ticket: £50 (including NT members)
I keep meaning to visit the actual hall, we go for a walk around the gardens occasionally as we don't live far from it but never seem to visit the hall
exceptional by (8%):
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