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Hardwick Old Hall
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Hardwick Old Hall
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“Hardwick Old Hall was one of two magnificent Derbyshire mansions built by wealthy Elizabethan socialite “Bess of Hardwick” – the other was Chatsworth. Born Elizabeth Hardwick, Bess married the first of four husbands at the tender age of fifteen, in an attempt to lessen the financial problems of her family. Thus began a succession of wealthy marriages for her, each husband dying and being succeeded by one who was even richer. Bess met her third Husband Sir William Cavendish, whilst she was working as a lady-in-waiting for the mother of Lady Jane Grey. It was this marriage that really helped Beth climb the social ladder. She was married for the fourth and final time to the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury. Beth’s financial, political and social ‘goings-on’, of which the Earl was unaware, were rumoured to have caused the collapse of the marriage. The earl died in 1590 and Bess decided to build a bigger and grander mansion on the estate, the New Hardwick Hall. The old house fell into ruin once Bess moved into her new home. The ruins of the old house remain in beautiful surroundings on a hill in the midst of the Derbyshire countryside. Although it no longer has a roof, visitors can still climb the 4 floors and look into old service rooms and kitchens. The ruins are a very impressive reminder of how Bess turned the old family home into a luxurious mansion. ”
Doe Lea, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
S44 5QJ
Visit Website
17 Mar-30 Sep: Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun 10-6pm
1-31 Oct: Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun 10-5pm
Adult: £3.90
Child: £2.00
Concession: £2.90
Family: £9.80
See more Historic Homes in East Midlands:
- Belton House
- Burghley House
- Calke Abbey
- Canons Ashby House
- Chastleton house
- Chatsworth House
- Elton Hall
- Eyam Hall
- Gunby Hall
- Haddon Hall
- Hardwick Hall
- Hardwick Old Hall
- Kedleston Hall
- Kirby Hall
- Lyddington Bede House
- Rushton Triangular Lodge
- Woolsthorpe Manor
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