Hardwick Old Hall is the ruins of a manor house that was owned by Bess of Hardwick, an influential Elizabethan woman. The Old Hall was rebuilt by Bess of Hardwick in the early 1600s, and it included high ceilings and plasterwork sculptures. At the site stood the original hall built by Bess' father; she also built the New Hall at the same time as the old so that the both could be enjoyed. Money was not a concern because she was the second wealthiest woman after Elizabeth I. The site is maintained jointly by National Trust and English Heritage, but the Old Hall is mainly maintaind by English Heritage. Visitors can explore the Old Hall ruins, the new hall, and Stainsby Mill a short distance from the halls.
The hall was a massive structure, and seeing the ruins gives an idea of the large size.
After Bess, the hall was owned by her son William Cavendish. He later moved into a nearby hall. The plasterwork has been recreated to show various scenes, such as hunting and woodland scenes or scenes from the bible.
The Old Hall became ruins in the mid-1700s when Chatsworth House became more fashionable to live in.
For more information about this property, see:
Leave a comment