Wednesday 11 March 2015

Lady Spencer's Walk at Hardwick Hall

The Hardwick Hall estate in Derbyshire is vast. One part of the Hardwick estate is given over to a stretch of land known as Lady Spencer's Walk. It is named after Lady Margaret Georgiana Spencer, mother of Georgiana Cavendish. Lady Spencer was the wife of the 1st Earl Spencer of Althrop (from whom Diana, Princess of Wales descended). Her daughter, Georgiana, lived at Hardwick as the wife of the 5th Duke of Devonshire.
It was while Lady Spencer was visiting her daughter that she came upon this walk. This part of Hardwick was a spot she liked to visit with her granddaughter. Today it remains a place for families to come and explore.
At this time of year the first thing that hits you is the smell of wild garlic. It spreads along the woodland floor like a fragrant green carpet.
The National Trust have turned the Walk into a woodland activity trail with giant noughts and crosses games and tree swings.
The kids can tick off 'Build a den' on their '50 things to do before you're 11¾'.
Trees have been left where they have fallen and turned into a natural climbing frame. Where else could you get to scramble up such a large tree trunk?

As we walked back we saw this engraved love heart in a tree. Who knows how long it has been there but Georgiana was renowned for her complicated love life.
Our final spot was this naturally formed drinking bowl. Playing in the trees is thirsty work and even the forest fairies need a drink.


Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwallsnowingindoors

11 comments:

  1. Love the noughts and crossed, that is really cool. Thanks for linking up to #PointShoot x

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    1. I did enjoy playing and not just because I won!

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  2. What a lovely beautiful place for a walk and exploration! Love the drinking bowl for fairies.
    Thanks for sharing #LetKidsBeKids

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    1. We had a look around but we couldn't see fairies on that day!

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  3. Yes! You have to build a den and play in it! Awesome! Looks like you had a fab time :) #myfavouriteplace x

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    1. My son loves running in and out of the little 'houses'!

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  4. Such a lovely place. I wish I can see this as it looks like a paradise. My fave is that drinking bowl formed in the tree! #pointshoot

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    1. It's such a nice spot and yet the estate is huge and we have so much more to explore.

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  5. Gorgeous - I love the fact there's so many fantastic places like this to explore, and the history behind it. Very cool noughts and crosses too!

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  6. I love the giant naughts and crosses and natural climbing frame. What a great use of nature. Wild garlic is amazing, we have heaps here on the farm too, I shall be off in search now you have alerted me it is about again already! Thanks for sharing a great place on Country Kids.

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  7. I love your pictures and I'm really proud of myself for recognising the wild garlic! It sounds like a lovely day out and thanks so much for sharing with #MyFavouritePlace

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