OFF WE GO AGAIN...HOORAY!!

Morning everyone, and what a stunning morning it is here.
Although we had a hard frost last night, this morning the sun is glorious. It really makes you feel so much better.
Mind you we cant really complain about this weekend at all. I was actually sat in a lovely garden drinking a glass of wine yesterday afternoon, so perhaps things will start to warm up a little now...though I'm not holding my breath.
This weekend has been very quiet for us just pottering about at home and so I thought I would share one of our first real outings of  2011 with you.

Last weekend we drove here

 Hardwick Hall..one of the most significant Elizabethan country houses still in existence. Designed by Robert Smythson in the 16th century for 'Bess of Hardwick', Countess of Shrewsbury and ancestress of the Dukes of Devonshire. The house remained in the same family until it was handed over to H M Treasury in 1956 in lieu of estate duties. The Treasury passed the property to The National Trust in 1959.
The house was a real statement for a woman whose wealth was second only to Queen Elizabeth I herself, and in a time when glass was a luxury led to the saying 'Hardwick Hall more glass than wall.'

 It is a stunning if rather dark house to visit with many exquisite fireplaces and amazing tapestries..

Despite the gloomy light (due not only to the dark walls and furnishings, but necessary to protect its treasures from sunlight) it's not hard to imagine the richness of the original fabrics. You are allowed to take photographs without flash, (so apologies for the poor quality of some of mine), but I think you can still get a flavour of this incredible place.

...just imagine the hours of sewing to produce drapes like these......

This bed is in the 'Mary Queen of Scots' room...unfortunately she was beheaded before the Hall was built.....!

The state dining room....

Outside there are beautiful formal gardens, a kitchen garden and lovely promenades....

and the whole place is surrounded by breathtaking parkland, which we didn't have time to explore and will mean another visit later in the summer......

That will definitely be a perfect time to bring a picnic and my walking boots! Situated in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside not far from Chesterfield it is a place well worth a visit....

Well this has been a bit of a marathon post but I do hope you have enjoyed the tour, and I'm glad to say that now that our beautiful country appears to be opening again there will be many more trips like this to share.

Have a wonderful week, I am off now to finish those new cushions....

TTFN

Jenny xx