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Para Regiment Parade

The Para Parade commemorates Hardwick’s history as the location for the 1st Parachute Brigade who lived and trained on the estate in the 1940s.

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event (admission applies)

Watch veterans, serving members of the Parachute Regiment, and a Pipe Band march through the Stableyard to take part in the 81st commemoration of the Parachute Brigade. There will be a short service, at the memorial in the Stableyard followed by a 2-minute silence.

Although the service is a private event, we encourage visitors to show their support by observing the parade through the Stableyard and taking part in the 2-minute silence.

Please note that the parade through the stableyard is a loud event.

The History of the PRA at Hardwick Hall:

The British Army leased 53 acres of the estate from the Duke of Devonshire and established a camp and training areas, complete with assault courses and a parachute jump tower, on the site. During these years Hardwick became the centre for parachute training for the airborne forces.

The training of the entire Commonwealth’s parachutists was a huge undertaking, and the park near Stainsby Mill was given over to housing the troops and the services they needed in a huge village made entirely of Nissen huts. After the war, the army and RAF moved out of Hardwick, but the Nissen hut village continued to be used by Polish refugees until they could be relocated. Because it was a temporary camp, no trace of the Nissen huts survive, but strong links between Hardwick and the paratrooper regiments remain to this day.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Check admission prices

The basics

Booking details

Call 01246 850430 Booking not necessary

Meeting point

The Para Parade will take place in the Stableyard.

Accessibility

There are accessible parking, toilets, a changing place and pathed paths in the Stableyard along with level access to the shop and restaurant.

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