Skip to content
A family enjoying a gentle walk in winter in the woods.
Exploring a woodland walk | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor
The Peak District & Derbyshire

A gentle walk around Hardwick

A very pleasant short walk in the Upper Park at Hardwick, taking in the atmospheric woodland and ancient park.

Please note

Admission fees apply for access to the gardens and stableyard areas. Please buy your tickets from the visitor centre before you start the walk.

Total steps: 7

Total steps: 7

Start point

Hardwick visitor reception, grid reference: SK463638.

Step 1

Start at the Visitor reception (make sure you get your Stableyard and Gardens ticket first), take the path into Lady Spencer’s Wood.

Step 2

Follow the path through the wood and carry straight on at the gate into the car park.

Step 3

Walk down the steps, turning left approximately 3 steps from the bottom and follow the path until you come to a gate.

Step 4

Through the gate, bear slightly left and walk across the grass towards the trees. When you are between the two avenues of trees, turn left towards the hall and enjoy the view.

Step 5

Walk towards the hall until you meet the access road. From here you have a choice of two routes. Continue to step 6 for the longer route and skip to step 7 for the shorter one.

Step 6

The longer route is approximately 1.2 miles further. Turn right and follow the road round to the T-junction. Turn left and follow the stone wall that surrounds the gardens and hall. Pass the old hall on your right and follow the road as it curves to the right down the hill. Turn left through the fence and along the field bearing left. This will bring you out onto Lady Spencer's walk, turn left to return to the Stableyard.

Step 7

For a shorter return, turn left and follow the road back to the car park (1 mile).

End point

Hardwick visitor reception, grid reference: SK463638.

Trail map

Hardwick hall and gardens short walk map
Hardwick hall and gardens short walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

A view from Hardwick Hall's roof showing the beautiful Derbyshire countryside in winter.
Trail
Trail

Hardwick wider estate walk 

Discover parts of the Hardwick Hall estate often missed, on this wider estate walk through beautiful Derbyshire countryside.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 5.7 (km: 9.12)

Get in touch

Doe Lea, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S44 5QJ

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

Walkers climbing rocks against a bright blue sky with the mountains in the distance at Sugarloaf, Monmouthshire

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

A group of people in a hiking group are being guided on a hike by rangers at Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

Longhorn cattle grazing on the Shugborough Estate
Article
Article

Exploring the parkland at Hardwick 

Visit Hardwick's parkland to enjoy stunning scenery and a wide range of walking routes and wildlife this season.

A member of staff smiles as she pours steamed milk for a customer at the Courtyard Café at Nostell Priory
Article
Article

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.

A small white dog sat at a café table
Article
Article

Visiting Hardwick with your dog 

Hardwick is a two 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.

A lamb and ewe in the foreground with people walking up a hill in the White Peak area of the Peak District

Walking in the Peak District and Derbyshire 

Discover the best walking routes around the Peak District and Derbyshire for walkers of all abilities, from peaks and lakeside paths to expanses of moorland.