The Xmas pudding has lingered long enough so it’s time gentlemen to put on the boots for our first walk of 2005 and re-visit an old favourite around Hardwick Country Park and surrounding villages. A few new twists and turns have been made to ensure that its not a complete deja vous!!

VENUE: HARDWICK HALL & COUNTRY PARK AREA
10.00 am - meeting at the Hardwick Inn, which is at the foot of the slope below Hardwick Hall for coffee and biscuits with the walk to start at 10.30 am. We are requested to park on the left hand side of the private road leading to the pub or in the adjacent overspill car park.

DIRECTIONS:
Hardwick Inn is approximately 5 minutes from Ml Junction 29.
Take Ml north / south and come off at exit 29 for Chesterfield / Mansfield / Matlock. Take the A6175 to Clay Cross (first left turn after north bound slip road). Follow for approximately 400 yards and turn first left onto Mill Lane (not marked but signed to Stainsby and Hardwick Hall).
Follow this road for approximately 2 miles travelling parallel to Ml, round an acute hairpin corner and then going underneath Ml; passing the entrance to Hardwick Country Park. The road to the Hardwick Inn is the next left after approximately 400 yards.

WALK
The walk is approximately 6 miles (approx. 2 hours) in Hardwick Country Park, taking in Hardwick Hall, the nearby villages of Ault Hucknall and Rowthorne. The walk is a combination of marked pathways, bridle paths and a couple of bottom gear ascents (not too bad really!) and there are likely to be a few muddy stretches.
Click on the map to see a larger version.
Lunch will be taken at the 17th Century Hardwick Inn, which is a renowned venue for good food (Carvery or Bar Meals) and a wide choice of ales and malts.

Some photos of the walk»»

Martin