Hardwick Hall

Ok....I've wanted to visit this place for a very long time.

So....day four we headed off for a 90 minute drive, using a two year old map that lead us along a very narrow country lane (instead of off the motorway at the proper exit) to Hardwick Hall.

It was raining (again) but I'd bought wellies so I was sorted. We listened to a very animated talk by a lovely, knowledgeable woman then headed off into the hall. It's an amazing place, but because of the low lighting, even with my museum setting on the camera, most of my photos came out out of focus. boo!

This one is slightly wonky...but i dont care, its one dream fulfilled :)

(by the way....if you visit Hardwick dont bother paying for your ticket to the Old Hall when you pay for the main house if you are an English/Scottish Heritage member... the house is National Trust and the Old Hall is Heritage....we only found out after we'd paid at the main entrance, through the NT, then realised as Heritage members we could have got into the old hall for free! Grr!)