Hardwick Hall
Hardwick Hall with its prominence on a topographical highpoint gives an imposing vantage point over the surrounding Derbyshire countryside. It’s unique sense of place and History dating back to the 1300’s has given the Hall, Park and Gardens a local, regional and national importance.
Hardwick Hall and the Registered Park it sits within is facing a period of change, with this comes potential to improve the existing setting, primarily by mitigating the sensory and visual impact and subsequent separation caused by the M1 motorway corridor. To ensure the continued historical significance these challenges need careful consideration to enable a sensible, yet aspirational ‘50 year vision’ to be realised, to this end the selected design team have collated a series of phased development objectives which will ensure the Hall and the Registered Park it sits within can be enjoyed for future generations. The innovative use of glass within the facades express wealth, technological advancement and craftsmanship, key elements which enhance the existing Hall and should be considered in future design proposals. The unique layout of the Hall ensures strategic views both into and out of the Park, to the North Bolsover Castle and to the East Lincoln Cathedral.
The existing detrimental impact of the M1 corridor combined with the potential impact of the HS2 railway cannot be overstated, the aim of the landscape masterplan is to pull together a strategic vision for the Registered Park and to mitigate these intrusive transport systems. An ongoing strategic aim of the Trust is to improve visitor numbers whilst maintaining the Hall within a semi-natural parkland setting, this is after all what makes Hardwick so special and unique. The proposals shown on the Landscape Master Plan and key views illustrate a high quality, integrated scheme which is intended to be phased to respond to the Trusts longer term ‘50 year vision’ and can be implemented on a structured basis as funds become available.
