Pictures of England
 Exploring the most Picturesque & Historic parts of England..

Pictures of Hardwick Hall

a Historic Building in the town of Doe Lea, in the county of Derbyshire

Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire

Accommodation near Hardwick Hall

Planning a visit? Please support the PicturesOfEngland.com website by booking your Hotels near Hardwick Hall, Cottages near Hardwick Hall, Bed and Breakfast near Hardwick Hall. Every booking made helps support the website - Thank you for your continued support.

About Hardwick Hall

This magnificent Elizabethan house was begun by Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury (Bess of Hardwick) in the year 1591. For the times, building progress was rapid with the main structure of the property being completed within three years, and by 1597 the house was fully decorated and furnished ready for occupation.

The outstanding feature of the exterior is the four great towers at each corner, and casting your eye's in an upward glance you will note windows which increase in size the higher your eye travels. The crowning glory is the parapets incorporating the initials E.S.(Elizabeth Shrewsbury), this was meant to proclaim her wealth and position in society. It is thought much of the design of this beautiful house is owed to the architect Robert Smythson.

Bess was married four times, each marriage brought her more riches, Hardwick Hall was built after the death of her last husband, the Earl of Shrewsbury. Bess had already rebuilt her father's old house, this now stands in ruins a short distance from the Hall.

There is little doubt that Bess was a woman of influence, she was one of the most powerful people at the court of Queen Elizabeth the Ist. The Queen handed to Bess and her husband the responsibility of guardianship for Mary, Queen of Scots.

Descendants of Bess have included powerful members of the nobility, these include the Dukes of Devonshire, Newcastle, Portland and Kingston.

In Bess's time the private apartments where on the first floor, the ground floor was mainly used by servants, save for the Great Hall. The house as we look at it now is sumptuously furnished and hung with exquisite tapestries, it is these wonderful works that are the defining feature of the house, most of them remain from when the house was originally completed, and many of these can be seen as you ascend the staircase leading to the upper floors. Above these is a magnificent painted plaster frieze by Abraham Smith. The high great chamber is the showpiece of the house, this is on the same floor as the luxuriously appointed Drawing Room. In the long gallery you can see family portraits as well as more tapestries. When descending the back staircase, make note of the examples of excellent embroidery.

Visitors enjoy the grounds as much as the house. There is a pretty walled garden and other enclosed decorative gardens including a scented herb garden. The grounds have numerous beautiful trees, and part of the landscape is given over to Rare Breeds, Cattle and Sheep. The orchard provides a lovely place to stroll, this is particularly pretty when the blossom is out.

There is a shop for souvenirs and a cafe for refreshments.

Please upload your photos of Hardwick Hall or see below for towns & villages near Hardwick Hall and a list of other nearby attractions to visit.

Planning a visit? We have thousands of Hotels, Bed & Breakfast and Holiday Cottages to choose from at highly competetive rates when booked through the Pictures of England website. Click here for accommodation near Hardwick Hall

Add attraction to favourites


Submit a history of Hardwick Hall

Recommended towns & villages near Hardwick Hall

Sutton Scarsdale Hall, Derbyshire

Sutton Scarsdale

(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction NW)

This is a village noted for the romantic ruins of what was once one of the grandest houses in Derbyshire...

Information | Pictures (24) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages

Bolsover Castle

Bolsover

(4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction N)

Bolsover is a small town lying 5 miles east of Chesterfield. It occupies a picturesque valley setting, watched over by 17th century Bolsover Castle which stands on the site of a former fortress of Norman times...

Information | Pictures (110) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages

The Crooked Spire, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Chesterfield

(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction NW)

Chesterfield is an attractive town close to the dramatic peaks of the Peak District National Park. It is well known for its strange landmark, the crooked spire of its parish.....

Information | Pictures (107) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages

Museum

Crich

(9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction SW)

A village on the edge of the Peak District National Park with a Museum dedicated solely to the golden era of the Tramcar. Also famous as being the location for filming Peak Practice...

Information | Pictures (54) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages

The Anglican Parish Church at Ripley, Derbyshire.

Ripley

(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction SW)

..

Information | Pictures (8) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages

All towns in Derbyshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Recommended attractions near Hardwick Hall

Stainsby Mill, Doe Lea, Derbyshire

Stainsby Mill

(0.0 miles, 0.0 km)

A fully working 19th-century flour water mill located on the grounds of Hardwick Hall, both attractions under the care of the.....

Information | Pictures (23) | Hotels

A picture of Pleasley Pit Country Park

Pleasley Pit Country Park

(2.1 miles, 3.3 km, direction E)

Pleasley Pit Country park is a reclaimed colliery site, which now offers nature lovers the chance to see record numbers of.....

Information | Pictures (4) | Hotels

This is the front of Sutton Scarsdale Hall, Sutton Scarsdale, Derbyshire

Sutton Scarsdale Hall

(3.6 miles, 5.7 km, direction NW)

..

Information | Pictures (19) | Hotels

Carr Vale Nature Reserve, Derbyshire

Carr Vale Nature Reserve

(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction N)

A mixture of open water, marsh, grassland and scrub that provides habitat for wintering wildfowl and raptors, migrating waders,.....

Information | Pictures (14) | Hotels

The Senses

Bolsover Castle

(4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction N)

The early morning sun streams down on a piece of Derbyshire's proud heritage, as into view come the magnificent ruins of Bolsover.....

Information | Pictures (108) | Hotels


All attractions in Derbyshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Hotels near Hardwick Hall

Hotels near Hardwick Hall  Cottages near Hardwick Hall  Bed & Breakfast near Hardwick Hall

Whitton Lodge in Hardstoft, Derbyshire, England4 stars

Whitton Lodge

Hardstoft, Derbyshire, England (1.5 miles, 2.5 km, direction W)
Just 5 minutes from the M1, the 400-year-old Whitton Lodge offers a relaxing spa bath, sauna, and stabling for horses. Guests can also exercise in the gym. Whitton Lodge has award-winning disabled acc...
More info and book online..  Price from £59.00

The Shoulder at Hardstoft in Hardstoft, Derbyshire, England4 stars

The Shoulder at Hardstoft

Hardstoft, Derbyshire, England (1.5 miles, 2.5 km, direction W)
Only 10 minutes’ drive from the M1 motorway, the Shoulder at Hardstoft is a 300-year-old pub set in quiet Derbyshire countryside. Local cask ales are available in the pub and lounge area, whilst loc...
More info and book online..  Price from £65.00

Twin Oaks Hotel in Palterton, Derbyshire, England3 stars

Twin Oaks Hotel

Palterton, Derbyshire, England (2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction N)
Boasting views over Derbyshire and Bolsover Castle, here you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life and benefit from the peace and tranquillity of a rural yet accessible location....
More info and book online..  Price from £75.00

Days Inn Chesterfield (Tibshelf) in Tibshelf, Derbyshire, England3 stars

Days Inn Chesterfield (Tibshelf)

Tibshelf, Derbyshire, England (2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction SW)
Between junctions 28 and 29 of the M1 motorway, this Days Inn hotel offers free parking, modern bedrooms and access to facilities at the Tibshelf Motorway Service Area. Each room has a 20-inch TV, ba...
More info and book online..  Price from £40.00

The Derbyshire Hotel in South Normanton, Derbyshire, England4 stars

The Derbyshire Hotel

South Normanton, Derbyshire, England (4.3 miles, 7.0 km, direction S)
The Derbyshire Hotel is just seconds from junction 28 of the M1. It is within easy reach of Nottingham, Derby and Chesterfield, and boasts a health club with a pool and gym. The hotel is on the edge ...
More info and book online..  Price from £60.00


All Accommodation near Hardwick Hall..

User Login

Username:
Password:
   Register Here
Forgot password?

Picture Tours

More picture tours..
Members tours..


Search Site: