Hardwick
The Peak District & DerbyshireAn Elizabethan masterpiece
Doe Lea, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S44 5QJ
Important notice
M T W T F S S Open
Closed
Opening times for 18 February 2026
Asset Opening time House 11:00 - 15:00 Entrance point 09:30 - 16:30 Garden 09:30 - 16:30 Park 08:30 - 16:30 Restaurant 09:30 - 16:30 Shop 10:00 - 16:30 Second-hand bookshop 10:00 - 16:30 Last entry to the Hall is 45 minutes before the Hall's stated closing time. Please note the Old Hall & Café Kiosk at the Park Centre will be closed until 21 March.
Non-member ticket (House & Garden)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £23.10 £21.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £11.60 £10.50 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £57.80 £52.50 1 adult, 2 children £34.70 £31.50 Non-member ticket (Wider Estate & Stableyard)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £6.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £3.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £15.00 1 adult, 2 children £9.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Assistance dogs only
Able to access the entire property including the house.
- Bookshop
located in the old Coach House
- Car park
- Dogs allowed
We welcome dogs on leads across the parkland, the Stableyard and the formal gardens. Detailed information can be found lower down on the visiting with your dog page.
- Electric vehicle charging point
Located in the lower car park, not in the main car park.
- Kiosk
The Park Centre kiosk is open 7 days a week. Located in the lower estate.
- Plant shop
- Restaurant
Indoor and outdoor seating, including a designated indoor dog-friendly seating area
- Shop
- Toilet
Parking 100 yards from facilities, baby-change, accessible toilets. Accessible routes in gardens and House (ground floor). Wheelchair/ tramper for hire.
- Accessible route and/or map
- Accessible toilet
- Braille (guide or menu)
Hall guide available.
- Changing Places
Located in the Stableyard toilets accessed by a Radar key: door width- 1m, floor space- 11(sq.m), hoist hight- 1.8m
- Designated parking
- Drop-off point
- Induction loop
- Large print (guide or menu)
- Level access to food outlet
- Level access to shop
- Level access/terrain
- Narrow corridors
Located in the Hall.
- Powered mobility vehicle available
Trampers available for use throughout gardens and Lady Spencer's Woods. Pre-booking is advised (01246 858435). Free of charge, donations welcome.
- Ramped access/slopes
- Seating available
Throughout main visitor routes.
- Steps/uneven terrain
- Transfer available
Buggy service from Visitor Reception to the main entry for Gardens and Hall. (10am - 4pm, 7 days a week).
- Virtual tour
Is available in the Hall.
- Wheelchairs available
Available upon request subject to availability from Visitor Reception (01246 858435). Free of charge, donations welcome.
- By road
- 8 miles south-east of Chesterfield; via A6175. Leave M1 exit 29, follow brown signsSat Nav: Please use postcode S44 5RW. This postcode will take you to the correct entrance point to the estate // Google Maps: Please type in Hardwick Hall, Doe Lea, S44 5QJ to get to the visitor car park. Please be aware that a Sat Nav may take you along minor roads depending on your location.
- On foot
- Rowthorne Trail; Teversal Trail. Please note signage is limited.
- By train
- The closest train station is Chesterfield. From there you can pick up a taxi or catch the Pronto bus from Chesterfield coach station, see bus directions for further details.
- By bus
- On-demand bus service from your local area to Hardwick car park available by Travel Derbyshire. Find out more: https://www.roadxs.com/travel-derbyshire-on-demand/ Or from Chesterfield, alight Glapwell 'Young Vanish' and cross the road, walk up the hill and take first right following signs to Rowthorne & Hardwick. Continue toward village then take second right and first left, arriving at Rowthorne gate. Continue straight to access Hardwick Hall. Please note the walk from the bus stop is approximately 2 miles, on main roads in part and with limited signage.
- Cycling
- Hardwick can be reached by a number of routes, see below. Please note Hardwick operates a one way system for cars so you may be travelling against traffic.
Planning your visit
Family-friendly things to do at Hardwick
There's plenty for families to do at Hardwick Hall, including seasonal trails, adventuring in the parkland and exploring the house. Find out what's on and plan your visit.
Accessibility at Hardwick
Discover key accessibility information to help you plan a visit to Hardwick. We believe that Hardwick should be open and accessible for all, and we are taking steps to ensure that as many people as possible can experience Hardwick's history and nature.
Spotlight Events
Discover craft activities, group walks and exciting family friendly events all in one place!
Volunteer opportunities at Hardwick
Join the great team of volunteers working to maintain and run Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire for visitors.
Visiting Hardwick with your dog
Hardwick is a three pawprint rated place, and offers plenty of opportunities for bounding, jumping and sniffing for dogs. With acres to explore, come and join us for a wander.
Group visits at Hardwick
As one of the finest Elizabethan buildings in the country, Hardwick Hall is a perfect place for group visits.
Highlights
Hall
An English interpretation of Italian Renaissance Architecture. This impressive masterpiece casts a dramatic silhouette across the Derbyshire skyline.
History
‘Bess of Hardwick’ was a shrewd and successful businesswoman. She married well and ultimately became the Countess of Shrewsbury.
Collection
Home to a unique collection of the finest 16th and early 17th-century needlework, furniture and original portraits.
Garden
The garden is laid out around the hall. It has a herb garden, orchards, mixed borders which provide seasonal colour.
Estate
Impressive views of rolling hills and Grade I listed parkland. Follow walks which wind through ancient trees and countryside.
Eating
The Barn restaurant provides main meals, light bites and freshly baked cakes and scones.
Shopping
The shop sells gifts, along with seasonal and local sourced products. The second-hand bookshop has pre-loved and rare books.
Visitor centre
Enjoy a warm welcome to Hardwick Hall in the Visitor centre, with friendly, knowledgeable staff and volunteers.
Spotlight events
Creative Writing Workshop
Come and join us for creative writing workshops through the year exploring themes of Elizabethan festivals, changes in the seasons, or empowering women.
Rooftop tours
Join our informative guides on an exclusive rooftop tour of Hardwick Hall and lookover the Derbyshire countryside from above.
February Half Term
Half term has never been more ‘love’ly! Explore the exciting Elizabethan themes of St Valentines through outdoor play and crafts.
Things to see and do
Family-friendly things to do at Hardwick
There's plenty for families to do at Hardwick Hall, including seasonal trails, adventuring in the parkland and exploring the house. Find out what's on and plan your visit.
Visiting the garden at Hardwick Hall
Enjoy serenity in the garden at Hardwick Hall this winter, find the first snowdrop of the season or get outdoors for a breath of fresh air.
Exploring the parkland at Hardwick
Visit Hardwick's parkland to enjoy stunning scenery and a wide range of walking routes and wildlife this season.
Top trails
The sculpture walk
Explore the historic parkland with hidden histories brought to life by the Hardwick Stonemasons. Our team have been busy chipping away behind the scenes creating beautiful stone sculptures to accompany the stories of the estate. From the horse hospital to the old cart route, let our walk leaders guide you through this new trail.
Group Walks at Hardwick
Embark on a journey of exploration, friendship and fitness with our guided group walks.
Eating and shopping
Eating and shopping at Hardwick
Enjoy tasty food and drink in the Great Barn restaurant or browse in the gift shop. Both are located within a historic setting at Hardwick.
Places to stay
4 Stable Yard Cottage
Stay on the Hardwick estate in a restored stableyard building.
6 High Hazels
Once the Brewhouse to Hardwick Hall, now an elegantly curated holiday home.
Rowthorne Lodge
A restored gate lodge for two with luxury interiors, set within the Hardwick Hall estate.
Upcoming events
‘Hop into the wild’ family trail, inspired by Disney and Pixar's "Hoppers"
Hop into this self-guided outdoors adventure – with storytelling and play. Fun for all the family.
February Half Term
Half term has never been more ‘love’ly! Explore the exciting Elizabethan themes of St Valentines through outdoor play and crafts.
Rebel Rangers at Hardwick
Complete tasks at special locations in Derbyshire and North Notts to have a chance at winning a special prize!
Rooftop tours
Join our informative guides on an exclusive rooftop tour of Hardwick Hall and lookover the Derbyshire countryside from above.
Discover With Us: Craft Activities & Demonstrations
Visit the East Stables for natural crafts and demonstrations throughout the day.
Writers' Retreat at Hardwick Hall
Carve out a space dedicated to your writing in this new writers’ retreat in the beautiful setting of Hardwick (lunch and refreshments are provided throughout the day).
Create With Us: Creative Writing Workshop
Come and join us for creative writing workshops through the year exploring themes of Elizabethan festivals, changes in the seasons, or empowering women.
Easter Adventures at Hardwick Hall
With map in-hand follow and find each activity trail station through the gardens, don’t forget to stop for your chocolate egg at the end!
About Hardwick
Welcome to Hardwick – a spectacular Elizabethan house filled with rich furnishings and tapestries preserved by successive generations of the Devonshire family.
It was the formidable 'Bess of Hardwick' who first built the house and developed the surrounding estate in the late 1500s. Her descendants, the Dukes of Devonshire, treasured Hardwick, while lavishing much of their attention and money on nearby Chatsworth. Their success – intimately associated with empire over 400 years and across the globe – preserved Hardwick, and their interests elsewhere saved it from significant alteration.
In the 20th century, keenly aware of Hardwick’s great significance and unique appeal, the Devonshires ensured that this remarkable building was passed on to the nation with its Elizabethan splendour intact. The Hardwick Estate is open every day, for countryside walks with picturesque views, woodland family play trails, locally sourced gifts in the shop and delicious seasonal menus in the restaurant.
History
The history of Hardwick Hall
Read how wealth, power and ambition drove Bess of Hardwick to build her grand design, filled with a treasure trove of fine furnishings that can still be seen at the Hall today.
The Parachute Regiment and Hardwick Hall
Learn the history of the Parachute Regiment born in 1941. Find out about their strong ties to the Hardwick Estate and how this made way for the post-war Polish resettlement camp for allied soldiers.
Thomas Hobbes and Hardwick Hall
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was a philosopher and political theorist. He is best known for Leviathan, published in 1651. He had a long association with the Cavendish family and spent his final years in Derbyshire, at Chatsworth and Hardwick Hall.
Art and collections
The collection at Hardwick
Discover an internationally-renowned collection of textiles including exquisite tapestries and embroidery and learn about the art of up-cycling, Elizabethan style. Find out more about Bess of Hardwick who largely sourced and collected the textile treasures.
Our work
The Hardwick Hall Building Repair Project
The ten-year project to restore and protect Hardwick Hall.
National Trust and English Heritage announce new partnership at Hardwick Old Hall
The National Trust and English Heritage have announced a new partnership agreement which allows both members to visit both halls, the Old Hall is open for the first time in five years after extensive conservation work.
Gideon tapestry project at Hardwick Hall
After 24 years of conservation, the 13th and final Gideon tapestry has returned to Hardwick Hall, marking the end of the National Trust's longest ever conservation project.
Support us
Volunteer opportunities at Hardwick
Join the great team of volunteers working to maintain and run Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire for visitors.
