| Event type: | Outing |
| Date: | 23rd September 2025 |
| Organiser: |
Outings Co-ordinator
Tel: 01926 858 563
|
| Cost: | £18pp (National Trust Members) £38 (non members) |
| Booking: | Note that booking is required. |
Pick up 8.50am Abbey Fields, 9.00am Abbey End/The Clock
Currently this outing is fully booked
Designed by Robert Smythson in the late 16th century, Hardwick Hall is sited on a hilltop between Chesterfield and Mansfield overlooking the Derbyshire countryside. It was ordered by Bess of Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury and ancestress of the Dukes of Devonshire, and owned by her descendants until the mid-twentieth century.
Bess of Hardwick was the richest woman in England after Queen Elizabeth I, and her house was conceived to be a conspicuous statement of her wealth and power. The windows are exceptionally large and numerous at a time when glass was a luxury, leading to the saying, "Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall." In order to give more scope for huge windows without weakening the exterior walls, the Hall's chimneys are built into the internal walls of the structure.
Hardwick Hall contains a large collection of embroideries, mostly dating from the late 16th century. Some of the needlework on display incorporates Bess's "ES" monogram, and may have been worked on by her. There is a large amount of fine tapestry and furniture from the 16th and 17th centuries, listed with the embroidery and other contents in an inventory of the home’s contents dating from 1601. The Sea Dog Table is an especially important piece from around 1600, and the Eglantine Table has an inlaid top of interest to musical historians. There are also many portraits displayed on the walls.
It has a fine garden, including herbaceous borders, a vegetable and herb garden, and an orchard. The extensive grounds also contain the ruins of Hardwick Old Hall, the original Manor home, which was used as guest and service accommodation after the new hall was built. Your entry ticket includes access to the Old Hall.
After centuries of private ownership by the Cavendish family and the Dukes of Devonshire, ownership of the house was transferred to the Treasury in 1956 and then to the National Trust in 1959.
NB Please note that last entry to the Hall is at 2.45pm.
For lunch there is the Barn Restaurant, serving light meals, drinks, scones and cakes and there is also a Kiosk in the grounds selling refreshments. Seating is available outside.
There is a second-hand bookshop, a plant shop and a NT shop selling a wide variety of items.
Accessibility
Although much of the site has level access, including the ground floor of the house, there are some steps and uneven terrain. There is level access to the restaurant, shop and toilets and some ramps are provided.
There is a Buggy service from Visitor Reception daily to the main entry for Gardens and Hall. Trampers (mobility scooters) and wheelchairs are available for use throughout gardens and Lady Spencer's Woods. Pre-booking is advised through reception (01246 858435). They are free of charge but donations welcome. Full Accessibility details are available on the National Trust Website for the house. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/hardwick
Click here for:- Booking forms or are available from the Outings table at Open Meetings. We also ask those booking to make a member of the Outings Team aware of ANY issues that may affect their ability to travel or enjoy the outings, so that these can be discussed with a view to obtaining a reasonable solution.