The sun was shining. The air was warm. What better way to spend the day than visit Hardwick Hall on the hills overlooking the M1 in Derbyshire. Well that was clearly the thought of we superannuated. We were out in force.

Hardwick House was once the home of the redoubtable ‘Bess’ of Hardwick. It is one of the finest surviving Elizabethan mansion in England. As with many of the finest houses in England it is now in the care of the National Trust. This transfer usually comes about for two main reasons: The Duke/Earl/Lord put everything on horse No. 10 at 3:30pm race at Chepstow or his Grace/Lord screwed up is death duties and his decedents had to give up priceless works of art or properties in lieu. So now Hardwick Hall is no longer owned by the Dukes of Devonshire but the National Trust. (Don’t feel too sorry for the Devonshires they still have Chatsworth House and a not insignificant fortune).

The National Trust is one of those organisations that, if you want define what makes England, England is a good place to start. (Before I get complaints from Wales and Northern Ireland as well as Cornwall I must point out that the National Trust is active in those Countries/County too.). However, for the conceit of this blog I am sticking to the Englishness of the National Trust.

Hardwick is no exception. Ask most people outside of England to describe what England is like then Hardwick would neatly match their description.

Hardwick is a lovely place to visit, especially on a warm sunny day in term time. We supperantuted have the run (well slow stroll/limp if truth be known) of the place. Bliss.