Hardwick Hall is a huge Elizabethan house, built for Bess of Hardwick. Bess of Hardwick was an extremely wealthy lady, this wealth reputedly being gained solely over the course of four marriages to rich men. She built this house for herself after leaving husband number four at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire (the previous Chatsworth House) and moved into it in 1597.
The vast expanse of the glass windows gave the building a very light and airy feel which is very unusual in a house of this age. It is interesting to note that glass was very expensive making this design a big statement of her wealth. Also her initials are built into the design of the tops of the towers. This lady really liked to strut her stuff!
Inside the house there is a wonderful collection of furniture dating from the Elizabethan times onwards including a very beautiful large inlaid table. The hall is most famous for its tapestries which are spectacular – and many of them are the original ones hung for Bess when she first moved in. You’ll find the house between Mansfield and Chesterfield, just off junction 29 of the M1. It’s virtually in the Peak District. It’s a National Trust property here’s the link to their website. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-hardwickhall/w-hardwickhall-seeanddo.htm