Hardwick Hall

Hardwick Hall is a house I have wanted to visit since I was a young girl. Its vast height, huge windows and grand appearance have always intrigued me, and I was not disappointed. At the time of the visit I was reading Mary S Lovell's Bess of Hardwick which made the trip even more interesting as I could see the house and its contents come to life.

Bess of Hardwick was a well known lady at the Tudor Court and remained friends with Elizabeth I for over 40 years. She was also close friends with the Grey sisters, Mary, Katherine, and of course Jane. After Jane’s execution Bess kept a portrait of her on a table beside her bed for the remainder of her life. She reached the grand old age of  80, almost unheard of for the time.

Bess and her 4th husband the Earl of Shrewsbury had the uncomfortable task of guarding Mary Queen of Scots for many years during her imprisonment, but that is another story.

Bess ordered the construction of the hall in the 1590's.  She was obsessed with building, and Hardwick has to be her greatest temple, with Chatsworth a close second. If Chatsworth was the comfortable home, then Hardwick was the entertaining house! With six great towers and a' High Great Chamber' reputed to be the most beautiful in Europe. A fabulous entertaining venue fit for a Queen.

The High Great Chamber

The muslin curtains were drawn on the huge windows on the day I visited to keep out the damp. The dim light in the house along with accompanying chamber music being piped into the rooms made for a wonderful atmosphere. The house is impressive throughout with grand rooms that are more and more breathtaking as you ascend the huge stone staircase and rise to the top of the house to the Long Gallery. A staggering 51 metres long, and 8 metres high, a real jaw dropper for me!

The Long Gallery

 Hardwick has been largely unaltered so it is easy to be transported back in time to the wonderful Tudor age. The house was built with royalty in mind, in the hope that Bess could entertain and impress her friend Elizabeth the Queen, and also that the house would be fitting for her Granddaughter, Arbella Stuart, who Bess hoped in time would claim her right to the English throne. Sadly for Bess neither of these dreams were realised, but thank heaven for her building projects, still inspiring us 400 years later.

Sadly the weather was dreadful on the day I visited so no outdoors shots, but do take a look on the net, its well worth it.

 If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Derbyshire one day Hardwick Hall is a must see for all Tudor fans, and Haddon Hall is only a short car journey away for double the fun!