Captain's Log

Hardwick Hall

I parked in the carpark nearest to Hardwick Hall itself. It was also possible to park near the lakes over to the west. Curiously, the one nearest to the hall was free and the one near the lakes was pay and display. The National Trust has set out a number of trails across the estate. My walk today would make use of two of them: The Welly Walk and The Oak Walk. It would also include a bit of The Miller’s Walk too. I found the signage a bit hit and miss for these trails and there also seemed to be plenty of other paths that weren’t on the official walks. It is hard to go seriously wrong though on a 4 mile circuit. I set off towards the hall. 

I soon came to the National Trust entrance and they kindly gave me a print out of a map of the estate that had all the trails marked. This was where you paid if you weren't a National Trust member. I could see the top of Hardwick Hall over to my right. It had large E and S letters on the parapets on the top of the building. This represented the sponsor of the buildings, Elizabeth of Shrewsbury (aka Beth). I took a tour of the hall after this walk and for those interested I briefly go into its history in NT Hardwick Hall And Gardens. Hardwick Old Hall is next to the larger main hall. Beth was born in the Old Hall and the building is now a ruin. The Halls are perched on the top of a hill and there were lovely views westwards. The only thing that detracted from this idyllic spot was the constant drone of traffic on the M1. It must have been at least half a mile away, but it was clearly audible. Oddly enough though, you can’t actually see it due to the trees and other vegetation. I started down a trail; it may have been the Buttress Walk, there again, it might not. 

The Ponds

I came to a series of very picturesque small ponds. These looked like they were a feed to the larger lake further to the west. A few ducks and geese were enjoying their morning swim in the ponds. I reached the Great Pond. It was a lake rather than a pond, although to be honest, I don’t know for sure what property separates the two definitions. The Great Pond was full of Water Lilies which I presume was a good sign for the quality of the water. A couple of Mute Swans sailed gracefully between the floating islands of Lilies. I wandered around the north end of the lake to its carpark. There is a Park Centre here where you can get a drink. Well, you can if it is beyond 10:30. Unfortunately, I’d arrived at 10:10 and couldn’t be bothered to wait for another 20 minutes. I was on the Miller’s Walk now and I followed this along the west side of Miller’s Pond. This turned out to be the biggest lake (or pond) on the estate. That was all the Ponds completed. I now headed off on the Welly Walk towards the east of the estate. 

Welly And Oak Walk

The Welly Walk continued through trees. It has been a dry summer so far and I definitely didn’t need Wellies today. I started heading back uphill, reclaiming the height that I’d lost on my descent from the Halls to the ponds. I caught my one and only brief glimpse of traffic on the M1 during the ascent. They’ve done quite well to hide it. A pity about the constant drone of the traffic though. The trail brought me out to the head of a country lane and I started following it. I found a Kestrel sitting on a telephone wire along the road and I was surprised how close it let me get before it took flight. It was a pity that I’d not brought my long lens. I left the road and followed a woodland trail, the trees providing welcome shade from the strong sun. The views over the fields were pretty enough. One of the fields was a very colourful hay meadow with bright pink, white and yellow flowers. The trail met a single track road and The Welly Walk headed off along it towards Hardwick Hall. I went across the road and followed The Oak Walk. This was a pleasant walk through lovely woodland. Gradually it worked its way back towards Hardwick Hall and I soon found myself back at the carpark. There had only been a dozen cars when I parked this morning; there must have been well over a hundred now. 

I’d taken my time on the walk and the 4 miles took me a couple of hours. It was a pleasant walk and a good aperitif before having a wander around Hardwick Hall itself. For details of the hall, see NT - Hardwick Hall And Gardens.