Thursday 19 May 2016

Hardwick Hall Herb Garden

Hardwick Hall Herb Garden
We hadn't been to Hardwick Hall for some time so when we saw 'Muddy Boots and Mucky Hands' as a family walk as part of the Chesterfield Walking Festival we knew a visit was overdue. After rambling through the woods, making plant crowns and looking for mini beasts it was time for a spot of refreshment. Since it was such a lovely day I couldn't resist popping into the gardens to have a quick look at what was going on at the moment.
One part of the gardens I've never fully investigated is the herb garden which is quite strange given my love of both herbs and walled gardens. In contrast to the 16th century Hardwick Hall the current design of the herb garden is fairly recent. The layout was designed by Isabelle van Groeningen in 2004 using a structure created in the mid-1970s.
The National Trust first commissioned Paul Miles in the 1970s to lay out a herb garden. Back then fresh herbs were more the preserve of those seeking to recreate The Good Life. The use of fresh herbs either in cooking or simply as a garden plant had long fallen out of fashion.
When Hardwick Hall was first built for Bess of Hardwick the herb garden would have been important as a source of medicinal and culinary ingredients. Today the garden is planted with over 150 varieties of both common and unusual herbs.
The hops would have been important in Bess' day in order to make weak ale that was safer to drink than than the estate's well water.
Around the edges are flowers which are cut to display in the hall. The last of the year's tulips were still giving a fine show.
At the end of the row are some of the vegetables grown to use in the Stables restaurant. Originally a larger area would have been needed to satisfy the demands of a big household. Bess may have long gone but her presence lives on.


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9 comments:

  1. Everything is so pretty oh my god.

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  2. i have garden envy. big time. how wonderful to be able to benefit from such a lot

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  3. Love reading about the history of the garden. It also made me pause for thought on how herbs are now always part of our recipes but once would have raised eyebrows.

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  4. That info sign is wonderful! A fab history lesson, it's always nice to know a little bit more about these places.

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  5. I am also very fond of a herb/walled garden, I like to see how they've ordered things so I can do similar on my allotment. The historical info is really interesting, like facts like that. Another place to add to my list.

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  6. Awesome lesson in history. I love the stories behind herbs #HDYGG

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  7. I love how the NT helps share the past with the present. I'm a herb fan too, I love the idea of uniform herb planting - I might have to take a looks at my raised bed now!
    Thanks for joining in again Jibberz x

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  8. Ah, so nice to see the garden - whenever we've visited it's been too cold and or wet and foggy. This looks fab and I do like a walled garden :)

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  9. love the framing of the plants with the information, so much nicer and easier to identify than a stick and plaque in the ground

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