Hardwick Hall, Stainsby Mill & Haddon Hall

And so we arrive at the last holiday of the year! I am in Derbyshire.

I arrived at Hardwick Hall at 10am as it opened :) Last time I was here it was grey and wet today was GLORIOUS blue skies

Hardwick was build by one amazing women, Bess of Hardwick. She married 4 times and the Dukes of Devonshire are her descendants. At her death she was enormously wealthy.

She built both Chatsworth and Hardwick Hall. Hardwick was given to the National Trust in lieu of death duties in 1959. Because the Devonshire's had Chatsworth as their primary residence Hardwick is relatively unaltered, it was built in the 1590's.

Of Hardwick it is said it is more glass than wall.

This kind of reminds of Great A'Tuin from Terry Pratchetts discworld.

Rhubarb and Ginger alas a bit dry and heavy.

Stainsby Mill is by the entrance to Hardwick and yet I've never been !

Haddon Hall is close to my hotel/b&b/pub.

The origins of Haddon are from the 11th century. Because the family ended up with other properties it too wasn't as heavily altered as some. For instance the 1st Duke of Rutland owned it and moved to Belvoir Castle.

The fine chapel.