Thursday 15th September, 2022 - Peak District

 We started out a little earlier today, and again on Lisa's suggestion, we went to Hardwick Hall, which is a significant Country House from the Elizabethan Era.  It was built between 1590 and 1597 for Bess of Hardwick, who was the Duchess of Shewsbury.  She was also responsible for the building of Chatsworth House.  She was the richest woman in England, after Elizabeth I.  

Bess of Hardwick was married 4 times, and delivered eight children to her husband, but 2 died in infancy.

Unfortunately, the exterior of part of the house in being restored, so a good photo was difficult.

The interior of the house is enormous, and great majority of the walls are covered in tapestries.  Close to the entry are some amazing applique and embroidered enormous wallhangings

Even the side of the staircase had a tapestry on it.

A portrait of Queen Elizabeth I

A few little blue and white pieces, that would look great in our house !!!

The Long gallery is the largest surviving Elizabethan Long Gallery, and the only one the retain its original tapestries and original paintings.

The High Great Chamber is really impressive ! With a very large fire place

That is John standing in front of the fire place

The Servants stairs

The Kitchens were incredible

The original stables are now the gift shop

This is where the farm carts were kept, and the Blacksmiths shop is at the end 

After leaving Hardwick Hall we decided to go to the Mill that we had noticed on the drive into Hardwick Hall, we noticed a sign for a Stainsby Mill, and decided to visit it.  It's a l9th Century Flour water mill, built in 1846-1850, and is a Grade II listed building. It was a working mill until 1952.

We went to the White Hart Inn for dinner, where Lisa already had our table set and ready for us.  Again, lots of lovely conversation with her, during which we found out that she had previously been the General Manager for the hotel, but now has her own business, and is now the Operations Manager  and works whatever hours suit her.  She actually wasn't supposed to be working, but came in especially to see us. She left before we did, and when we went to pay the bill, she had given us a round of complimentary drinks and also instructed the staff to give us her 15% staff discount - all unbeknown to us !!!