Welcome to Hardwick, whose stunning houses and beautiful landscape have been created by a cast of thousands.

For alternative formats, please callus on 01246 850430 or email hardwick@nationaltrust.org.ukPhotography NTI/ NT Hardwick/ Andrew Butler/ John Millar/ David Levenson/ Robert Morris/ Chris Lacey/ John Hammond/ Adrian Brown at Clear Image PhotographyPrinted on 100% recycled paper. Please recycle this leaflet after use.© National Trust 2017. The National Trust is a registered charity no. 205846

Have you been to the mill?Don’t forget to pop into Stainsby Mill, at the entrance of the Hardwick Estate and discover a working watermill and buy some freshly milled flour. On certain days you can watch the millers produce the flour. Pick up a leaflet at the Visitor Centre for opening times and full information.

Going for a walk?Hardwick is still a working farm so please take care where livestock are grazing, and make sure you close gates behind you. You are welcome to walk your dog in the park but please keep your dog on a lead near livestock, and use the doggie bins provided.

Going into the Hall?Photography is welcome in the Hall, without flash. Large bags, pushchairs and back packs can all be left near the Entrance Hall. Stiletto wearers will struggle in the house, it’s easier to slip them off and carry them!

How can I get involved?Get involved by becoming a volunteer, there are lots of different things to do; ask one of the Hardwick team for details or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/volunteer

Need to get in touch?Hardwick, Doe Lea, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S44 5QJCall: 01246 850430Email: hardwick@nationaltrust.org.ukFind us on Facebook at National Trust Hardwick or follow us on Twitter @NThardwick

Sat Nav address S44 5RW

Where next?Staying in Derbyshire; Stainsby Mill, Eyam Hall and Craft Centre, Kedleston Hall, Sudbury Hall and the Museum of Childhood and Calke Abbey, are all within an hour’s drive of Hardwick. Moving into Nottinghamshire; Clumber Park and Mr Straw’s House are even nearer.

Where can I buy food and drink?Fresh food, made using local seasonal produce is available at our Great Barn Restaurant in the Stableyard. If you want to grab a light snack and a drink, try our Coach House Kiosk or trailer, perfect for packing a picnic to take with you on a walk.

w Free WiFi available in the restaurant.

Why not extend your time at Hardwick a little bit longer?Come and stay with us. We have three luxurious holiday cottages on the estate. High Hazels, sleeps 12 people – perfect for family get-togethers or parties. No. 4 Stableyard, sleeps 6 people.

Also available is Rowthorne Lodge. This former gatehouse provides cosy accommodation for two, with the opportunity to explore the beautiful rural surroundings. Ask at the Visitor Centre for more details or call 0344 800 2070. Alternatively visit www.nationaltrustholidays.org.uk

Organising a group visit?Hardwick offers pre-bookable tours with knowledgeable guides. Please get in touch to find out more or visit the website.

Did you know you can get married at Hardwick?Hardwick Hall provides a magical setting for your special day. For more information please get in touch or visit our website.

How can you support us?Become a member of the National Trust and help us to care for special places like Hardwick, and enjoy hundreds of other spaces and places for free. Enjoy immediate free entry if you join at the Visitor Centre before your visit. Ask for more information.

Raffle tickets are another great way to support us. Ask for details at the Visitor Centre, shop or restaurant.

designing weaving building

a MasterpieceA whole day of things to see and do

The Hardwick estate is open every day, for countryside walks with picturesque views, woodland family play trails, locally sourced gifts in the shop and delicious seasonal menus in the restaurant.

There are events at Hardwick throughout the year. Visit our website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick or ask in the Visitor Centre for further details.

Where can I find out more about Hardwick?

Our guidebook is available to buy from the Visitor Centre and the shop. There’s also a park map to help you explore the estate. You can choose from short walks with views across the parkland to more adventurous rambles around the wider estate. If you want to know more during your visit the Hardwick team will be very happy to help.

When can I visit?The Hall is open from 11 Feb until 29 Oct 2017, 11am to 5pm, Wed to Sun.

The park and restaurant are open from 9am, the shop and garden from 10am every day, except Christmas Day, closing at 6pm or dusk if earlier. The car park closes at 6pm or dusk if earlier.

Come back and see us at Christmas. We start our festivities from 18 Nov and the Hall is open until 17 Dec, Wed to Sun, 11am to 3pm.

Additional access information

Mobility parking in the visitor car park

Buggy service available

Adapted toilets in the Stableyard and Park Centre

Wheelchair access to ground floor of Hall, gardens and Lady Spencer’s walk. Stairs to 2nd and 3rd floors, with resting benches and chairs. Please be aware of the deep water, height drops and uneven surfaces around the estate.

Highlights for 2017 It was the formidable Bess of Hardwick who first created Hardwick in the 1500s. In the centuries since then, her descendants, farmers, gardeners, builders, decorators, embroiderers and craftsmen of all kinds have contributed and made Hardwick their creation.

We’d like you to explore and enjoy Hardwick and in the process, discover the lives, loves and adventures of the creators of Hardwick. Find out about the first and last ladies of Hardwick, Bess ‘Countess of Shrewsbury’ and Duchess Evelyn Devonshire.

This year you will be able to explore the themes from the recently published book ‘A Great Old Castle of Romance’ in more detail. The year-long theme ‘new discoveries’ will regularly focus on different objects; embroideries, furniture, portraits and tapestries inside the Hall.

Stroll down towards the ponds this year and discover how one of the last remaining and recently restored Duck Decoys in England helped to feed the family at the Hall and take a peek inside the beautiful brick-built Ice House.

Top things to do...

family friendly...• Quizzes, trails and hands-on activities in the Hall

• Don’t struggle around the Hall – front-carrying baby slings, hip-carrying infant seats and pushchairs for strolling around the gardens are available for loan

• Children’s menu available in the restaurant

• Baby-changing and feeding facilities available – microwave and bottle warming

• Family activities throughout the school holidays. Check the ‘What’s on’ board at the Visitor Centre for details

Finding your way around1. Visitor Centre / Tickets

/ Meeting Point/ Membership

2. The Stableyard

3. Stables Outdoors and Garden Shop: seasonal plant sales. 80% of the plants are propagated in the greenhouse at Hardwick

4. Coach House Kiosk: perfect for grabbing a hot drink and sandwich ‘on the go’ (Opens at peak times)

5. Stables Gift Shop: selling gifts and souvenirs

6. Great Barn Restaurant: serving hot meals, seasonal specials and homemade cakes

7. Old Hall (managed by English Heritage) NT members FREE: start your Bess of Hardwick story here

8. Gatehouse and West Court / Tickets / Membership

9. Hardwick Hall

10. The Gardens

11. Herb Garden

12. South Gazebo

13. South Border

14. East Court Rose Garden

15. Stumpery and garden exit

16. Woodland Play trail: swing, scramble and jump to explore this trail

17. Fairy Houses

18. Cart Shed: undercover picnic area

Please be aware of the deep water and height drops around the estate.

Key

Car park

Information

Shop

Refreshments

Restaurant

Accessible WC ladies

Accessible WC gents

Baby changing and feeding facilities

Transfer available

Picnic Area

Dog Bins (plus additional bins in the park)

6

5

15 17

4

3

2

18

12

14

13

1011

7

8

9

1

16

Disabled parking is near the Visitor Centre

The Stone Centre is a 5 min walk down a steep hill

Walks to the lower park, ponds, Duck Decoy & Ice House this way

DANGER Deep Water

walking...Stretch your legs on one of our circular walks – take in the scenic parkland, stroll along Lady Spencer’s Walk and discover our Woodland Play trail. Pick up a map guide from the Visitor Centre to help get the most of your walk.

Lady Spencer’s walk, Play trail and upper park walks

discovering...Take a short ramble to Park Piece, along the Oak Walk and encounter the tranquillity of nature within the wooded area.

restoring...During your visit today take a stroll down towards the ponds to see the Duck Decoy and Ice House which were restored in 2016 and discover the best surviving example of a cage decoy in the country.

The Hardwick Mason Team are currently working on year one of a ten year Building Project to carry out repairs and restoration to this magnificent 400 year old building.

When you visit, donate, volunteer or join the National Trust, your support helps us look after special places like Hardwick, for ever, for everyone.

Thank you for your visit here today.

The Oak Walk