Hardwick Hall circular walk (8 miles)
Details
Join us for a 8 miles journey through the heart of the Elizabethan era on this scenic circular walk around the magnificent Hardwick Estate. Built in the 1590s by the formidable Bess of Hardwick—the most powerful woman in England after Queen Elizabeth I—the estate is anchored by the architectural masterpiece of Hardwick Hall, a house famously described as having "more glass than wall." Our route ventures far beyond the grand stone masonry, leading us through the towering ancient trees of Lady Spencer’s Wood and into the serene, quiet trails of Teversal. As we loop through the landscape, we'll pass the historic Miller's Pond and Great Pond, where the water reflects the vast Derbyshire sky, before entering the atmospheric shadows of Blackholme Wood.
The trail continues through the heart of Hardwick Park and the secluded Duck Decoy Plantation, offering a perfect blend of manicured history and rugged woodland. To wrap up the adventure, we’ll gather for an optional social meal at the 16th-century Hardwick Inn. It’s the perfect place to relax, refuel, and swap stories in a cozy, stone-walled setting that is every bit as historic as the paths we've just walked.
📸 Featured Photo
- Hardwick Hall by Chris Gunns is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
📍 Meeting Location & Time
- Meeting Location: Hardwick Inn car park, S44 5QJ
- Meeting Time: 8:45 AM
- Start Time: 9:00 AM
🥾 Walk Overview
- Distance: ~8 miles (13 km)
- Elevation Gain: ~500 ft (160 mt)
- Duration: ~3 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route Type: Circular
- Walk Leader: Erika
⛰️ Route Highlights
- Hardwick Hall
- Lady Spencer's Wood
- Teversal
- Blackholme Wood
- Hardwick Park
- Duck Decoy Plantation
📲 Route Link
🌦️ Weather & Clothing
Please wear sturdy hiking boots or shoes with good grip to handle muddy and slippery terrain. Avoid flat trainers or jeans.
Dress in layers to accommodate changing weather conditions:
- Moisture-wicking base layers
- Insulating mid-layers
- Waterproof outer layers
Useful links for weather forecasts:
🎒 What to Bring
- Sturdy walking boots or shoes with good grip (no flat trainers)
- Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing (avoid jeans)
- Sufficient food and water
- Waterproof jacket and warm layers
- Gloves and woolly hat
- A comfortable backpack
- Optional: hiking poles, sunglasses, hat, camera
🐶 Dogs
Fit and friendly dogs are welcome to join the walk! Please keep them on a lead near livestock.
Dogs are allowed in the pub we will be visiting after the walk.
🍔 Meal
After we wrap up around 12:30 PM, we’ll be heading to The Hardwick Inn for a social meal. Everyone is more than welcome to join, though it is entirely optional. If you’d like to come along, please let us know in advance so we can confirm final numbers with the venue and ensure a table is waiting for us!
📢 Notes
- This event may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are unsafe. Updates will be posted in the comments, so please enable email notifications for any changes.
📌 Bookings
- Please only book if you genuinely intend to attend.
- If you reserve a spot but can no longer make it, please cancel your booking or let the organiser know. It only takes a moment to update your booking, and it really helps everyone: the organiser, the walk leader, and your fellow attendees.
⛑️ Disclaimer
You are fully responsible for your own safety, health, fitness, and equipment. The group has no insurance — by RSVPing, you agree to these terms.
📬 Questions?
Feel free to comment below or message the organiser privately.