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Wednesday, 10 November 2010

Hardwick Hall

 

(Best viewed large)
There are several stately homes within easy drive of my mother's home.  One of them, Hardwick Hall, can be seen perched on top of the hill above the lake here.  To the right is the Old Hall and just to its left, above the trees, you can see the towers of Hardwick Hall itself, one of the finest Elizabethan mansions in England.  It was built in the late 16th century, by Robert Smythson, for the powerful Bess of Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury, the richest woman in England at the time apart from Queen Elizabeth I herself.  It has huge windows, a deliberate statement of wealth at a time when glass was a luxury, giving rise to the saying: "Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall".  Now in the care of The National Trust, it's a fascinating place to visit  - but on this occasion we simply enjoyed a stroll round the lakes and revelled in the beautiful autumn colours and the sunshine. 

15 comments:

  1. Harwick Hall was quite close - about 3 or 4 miles - from the village where I grew up. The M1 runs between now of course - I was always happy to see the Hall from the motorway because next was junction 29 and home was about 10 minutes away:)

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  2. We're so fortunate to have these treasures, scattered about the land. Sure, we have things to moan about, but so much to enjoy, too.

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  3. A beautiful old castle and a great landscape.
    Have a great day Jenny.
    Costas

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  4. We have four 'houses' in our Derbyshire junior school, all of which are (appropriately) named after stately homes in the county. Hardwick is one. Sadly, it's the only one of the four which I haven't yet visited; especially appalling when you consider that I am a member of the National Trust and could get in for free!!

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  5. You give us beauty to guess, you describe it without showing it, you're speaking about queens,and it's like telling us fairy tale...

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  6. I prefer Hardwick Old Hall myself. (Though Hardwick's tapestries are wonderful!) It's a hefty drive up the M1 from here but worth the effort.

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  7. Awww, Jenny, that photo put me in the best of moods!
    I love it!

    B xx

    P.S. Thanks for the info.

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  8. Great photo of what looks to be a beautiful place. Glad to hear it is in the National Trust.

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  9. Nice picture, seems to be a beautiful place..

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  10. that is a beautiful picture...and place! I'm glad you suggested enlarging it...so much to see...including the trees turning color!

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  11. I'm intrigued by Bess of Hardwick -- any suggestions for reading about her -- fiction or biography?

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  12. Beautiful countryside on a beautiful autumn day.

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  13. Wow that truly is an impressive place! ~Lili

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  14. I knew those surroundings well, I grew up playing in the woods and fields all around that area, beautiful countryside.

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