We visited the gardens of Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire which is from the Elizabethan period. There was long drive up to the hall before we parked up. National Trust members get in free.
The hall itself is having some renovation work done so it was partly covered up. When I see covers on buildings it always reminds me of the artist, Christo who wrapped up buildings and various other things, but on a much larger scale.
The hall was built between 1590 and 1597, commissioned by Elizabeth of Hardwick, commonly known as Bess of Hardwick who became the Countess of Shrewsbury. It was built next door to the Old Hall, where Bess was born and brought up.
There's not much left of the original gardens but they are still very pleasant and well maintained by the hall's gardeners and volunteers.
There was some nicely pruned yew trees in the gardens at the front of the hall.
You could help yourself to a few tomatoes if you left a donation. Waste not, want not as they say.
There was plenty of wooded walks situated around the grounds that people could explore, without having to pay to go into the gardens. It was well worth the visit and thankfully, the weather stayed kind to us.
