The Peak District & Derbyshire

Walk in Bess’s footsteps trail

One of the ponds at Hardwick Hall estate, Derbyshire | © National Trust Images/Robert Morris

Explore the Derbyshire estate of Hardwick Hall, once home to Bess of Hardwick, and enjoy the landscape garden around the historic Elizabethan house. Discover features from Bess’s time, as well as those developed in the 400 years since her death.

Near to

Hardwick

Start point

Park Centre at Hardwick, grid ref: SK454640

Trail information

View route

Print trail

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3.5 (km: 5.6)

Duration1 hour 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*Moderate terrain with one steep climb, and grassed footpaths and surfaced pathways. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Moderate terrain with one steep climb. For further details, please see Access section.
***Dogs welcome on leads only at all times, as livestock found in surrounding fields. For further details, please see Facilities section.

Admission fees

Admission fees apply for access to the garden and Stableyard areas. Please buy your tickets from the visitor reception before you start the walk.

Address
Doe Lea, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S44 5QJ.
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Chesterfield 8 miles (12.8km).
On foot
From Rowthorne Trail or Teversal Trail.
By bus
Stagecoach East Midlands 'Pronto' bus service, Chesterfield to Nottingham, alight Glapwell, Young Vanish: 2 mile (3.2km) walk to pick up walk route at Rowthorne Gate.
By road
2 miles (3.2km) south of M1 at junction 29. Turn off A6175 following brown sign to Hardwick Hall. Instead of taking second turning to Hall, continue straight on towards Hardwick Inn. Turn left into Hardwick Park, just after motorway bridge. Satnav postcode: S44 5QJ.
Total stages: 12
Total stages: 12
Start point
Park Centre at Hardwick, grid ref: SK454640
Stage 1
From the Park Centre walk over the footbridge that runs between the two ponds and up the track.
Stage 2
Walk through the kissing gate, continuing up the track. When the track turns into a footpath, bear right between the ponds and through a gate into the parkland.
Stage 3
Walk up the vehicle track that bears right up the hill until you reach the road. Start to walk down the road and past a stone building with a chimney that is on your left.
Stage 4
At the corner turn left through the gate walking across the field. Walk through the next gate and up a slight incline. You will then arrive in Lady Spencer’s Wood. Turn right following the woodland path.
Stage 5
Follow Lady Spencer’s walk and turn left at the bottom of the steps following the path.
Stage 6
When you emerge back into the parkland bear left coming in between the lime tree avenues. Cross the road and walk through the pedestrian gate. Follow the fence line towards the woods.
Stage 7
Walk down the steps and over the concrete bridge. Follow the path up the woodland boundary. At the gate turn left into Park Piece Wood and follow the path through the wood.
Stage 8
When you come out of the wood, walk straight down the hill through the field to the road, heading for the gate.
Stage 9
Cross over the drive and continue through the field to the gate into the next wood.
Stage 10
Bear left on the main path through the wood. When you reach the track, turn left, and follow until you reach a big blue gate.
Stage 11
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.
Stage 12
Once through the gate, turn right to return to the Park Centre.
End point
Park Centre at Hardwick, grid ref: SK454640
Trail map
Walk in Bess' footsteps trail map, Hardwick, Derbyshire | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience