Hardwick Hall

I visited Harwick Hall yesterday afternoon after bouldering at the climbing wall in Nottingham.

The house was designed for Bess of Hardwick, the Countess of Shrewsbury and an ancestress of the Dukes of Devonshire.  Bess was one of the most influential women during the time of Queen Elisabeth and her dramatic and innovative home reflected her power.

There are an enormous number of windows, especially for 16th century construction.  Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside, but the interior is possibly even more dramatic.  A grand entrance way leads up a wide stairway leading eventually to the great hall.  The walls are almost entirely covered in elaborate tapestries.  It really is majestic and awe inspiring.

The ruins of the old hall are preserved nearby.

I also visited the stone carving workshop on the site.  Stone for the restoration of the house is quarried on the estate, cut in the yard outside, and carved using traditional techniques.  It’s a pretty interesting process and it looks like there are some wonderful craftspeople working here.

I had a nice lunch at the restaurant run by the National Trust. The focus on fresh, local, and seasonal foods yielded a beautiful pie, salad, and tart. Recommended!