HARDWICK HALL & GARDENS. Derbyshire

My visit to Hardwick Hall was on the 26th May 2007 with my friend Carol.

I had been before, but I found it very Interesting the first time and decided to see it again this year too. Even In late May the gardens were already In colour and the borders full of perennials and shrubs that had probably been there for decades. The garden is split up Into sections, with a lot of yew hedging that was neatly trimmed and statues that all fitted in nicely with the surroundings. One part of the garden was a Herb garden and was well set out.

Another part was a meadow with its grass left to grow longer. My favourite was the West Court Border with the various perennials along the stone wall. A few pictures from that are above.

The Hall itself, was completed around 1600 and was home to the Formidable Bess of Hardwick.

She was the Countess of Shrewsbury and her Initials are actually along the tops of the Hall, in large letters "ES". She was born at Hardwick In 1527 , one of a family of Four girls and one boy.

A portrait of her hangs in the Long Gallery at Hardwick along with many other members of her family. The windows of the Hall seem to dominate the building too and there actually seems to be more Glass than brick. Inside the windows are shaded by net curtains, to stop the Many wall hung tapestries from fading In the sunlight. These Tapestries are quite huge and line most the walls in the Building. Impressive Indeed, as is all of the Hall itself.

After walking round the Gardens & the rooms of the hall, it was time for refreshments in the Tea room. This was the Original Kitchen area and is now the setting for the National Trust tea room at the Hall. Many of the Copper saucepans and plates are still on display in that room.

As are a lot of the Original fixtures that would have been used In the years gone by.

So we had a very Interesting visit there and a Cream tea to finish off!