Seen peeking above the trees.. the two 'Hardwick homes' of 'Bess Countess of Hardwick'. She began to build 'The Old Hall' seen to the right in 1587. Although the Old Hall is a ruin and open to the elements, some of the original plaster work on the walls are still in place.
In 1590, before the Old Hall was complete, Bess started to build another house immediately beside it – the New Hall – completed in 1597 .. it is very complete with furnishings and open to visitors.