We’ve decided to revisit a previous walking area, Hardwick Country Park, as it’s proximity to the M1 makes access this winter a more certain hope … we’ve already had six snowfalls since XMAS!!!  The walk, please note, does cover some new ground for the Emgaspers, at least for a couple of miles.

10.00am for a 10.30am start meeting at the 17th Century Hardwick Inn, which is at the foot of the slope below Hardwick Hall.  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 M1 Junction 29.
Take M1 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 M1, round an acute hairpin corner and then going underneath M1; 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 about 4½ miles starting out from the Hardwick Inn, up the reasonably easy driveway ascent to Hardwick Hall and the recently renovated and opened Stable Yard area.  We will then take some newly opened pathways through the parklands and wooded sections.  The walk is generally good under foot except for a couple of small but potentially really muddy patches … so be prepared with sticks.  Hopefully if the weather remains dry the going will be easier in these places by the time we walk them.

Lunch will be taken at the Hardwick Inn, which is a renowned venue for good food and a wide choice of ales and malts.  We will be choosing this time off the bar menu and eating in a private room.

Martin
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