Hatfield Forest

I visited Hatfield Forest this week.

Hatfield is a former medieval Royal hunting forest and was part of the Forest Essex that once included Epping Forest.

The lake was added by Capability Brown.

It is nowadays a very important place for wildlife.

Not sure these all work... feedback appreciated :)

Haddon Hall

Haddon Hall's origins of Haddon are from the 11th century. Because the family ended up with other properties it too wasn't as heavily altered as some. For instance the 1st Duke of Rutland owned it and moved to Belvoir Castle.

It has a fine chapel and lovely gardens and is well worth a visit.

Hardwick Hall

I apologise for the lack of activity. The pandemic has curtailed me, as it has for everyone.

Here are some pictures I took at Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire.

Hardwick was build by the  amazing Bess of Hardwick. She married 4 times and the Dukes of Devonshire are her descendants. At her death she was enormously wealthy.

She built both Chatsworth and Hardwick Hall. Hardwick was given to the National Trust in lieu of death duties in 1959. Because the Devonshire's had Chatsworth as their primary residence Hardwick is relatively unaltered, it was built in the 1590's.

Of Hardwick it is said it is more glass than wall.