Hardwick estate: walk in Bess’ footsteps
Once home to Bess of Hardwick, the hall's Elizabethan splendour dominates the landscape, which once provided for her household. Much of Hardwick looks the way it does today because of the way Bess and her Devonshire descendants shaped the countryside to meet their needs.
A stunning Elizabethan house and beautiful landscape garden
As you walk through the Devonshire estate you'll see features from Bess’ time, as well as those developed in the 400 years since her death.
Map
Start:
Park Centre at Hardwick, grid ref: SK454640
1
From the Park Centre follow the track over the footbridge, walking away from the motorway.
The two halls of Hardwick
Hardwick Hall more glass than wall, goes the popular saying, and you'll soon see why. From the blue gates in the stableyard you'll get a spectacular side view of the hall. The Old Hall was where Bess was born in 1527. The far grander New Hall was completed in 1597. It has Bess' initials, ES (Elizabeth Shrewsbury), emblazoned along the top, with a coronet to show she was a countess. Hardwick symbolises Bess' achievement in moving up through Tudor society - from daughter of an obscure gentry family, to countess and the second richest woman in the country.
2
When you reach the pond with the dragonfly sculpture turn right and go through the gate into the field. Walk straight up the field towards the Halls. The five row ponds date from before Bess' time. The ponds at Hardwick were created to provide the estate with fresh fish and duck for the table, and fishing still continues today. These ponds are fished by the Bess of Hardwick Angling Club, who help us to maintain a good habitat for our resident water voles.
Dragonflies
As you'll see from the sculpture at the edge of the pond, dragonflies are a regular sight here in summer. Listen for the characteristic plop of the elusive water voles or look out for the blue flash of a kingfisher.
3
At the hall turn right along the road until you get to the stableyard's arch on your left. Turn left through the stableyard and continue through the second arch. Look out for a glimpse of the herb garden and orchard through the gate.
Stableyard
The stableyard has played a key role in running the estate for well over 400 years. Housing a smithy, wash house, brew house, dairy, crops, livestock, horses, coaches and even a fire engine at one time, these buildings have had a variety of uses to meet the changing needs of the estate. Look out for the new interpretation panels and listening posts to discover more, or rest your feet a while on the wonderfully carved sculpture benches.
4
Follow Lady Spencer's Walk, turning left at the bottom of the steps. Lady Spencer was the mother of Georgiana Cavendish (wife of the 5th Duke of Devonshire). She created this walk with her granddaughter while staying with her at Hardwick in the late 1700s.
5
Cross over the farm track and go through the gate into the field in front of you. Follow the fence line into the wood.
6
Follow the track through Park Piece Wood. (Caution: this path can be very muddy in wet weather.)
7
When you come out of the wood, walk straight down the hill through the field to the road, heading for the gate.
8
Cross over the drive and continue through the field to the gate into the next wood.
9
Follow the path through the woodland. When you reach the track, turn left and follow this until you reach a big blue gate.
10
Go through the blue gate and walk straight ahead, following the grass path downhill, over the drive. Continue until you reach a gate in the fence near the ponds.
11
Once through the gate, turn right past the quarry to return to the Park Centre.
End:
Park Centre at Hardwick, grid ref: SK454640
