Family-friendly things to do at Hardwick
There's plenty for families to do at Hardwick, including seasonal trails and woodland walks.
Planning your family visit
- Baby-changing facilities in the Stableyard toilets.
- Pushchairs and buggies are not allowed in the house, please leave these outside the Entrance Hall by the front door.
- Relax and enjoy a picnic in the Stableyard with a stunning view of the Hall.
- Sometimes, depending on weather conditions, the footpaths may get muddy so don't forget your wellies and warm clothes.
February Half Term
Linking to Elizabethan festivities celebrating St Valentine, a date in the calendar we still celebrate today, Hardwick will have play activities in the Stableyard for February Half Term from the 15 – 23 February. These activities are inspired by themes of connection, pairs, gratitude and love such as ‘Match the pairs’, Connect Four, create your own sonnet on our storyboard & rustle up a valentine’s feast in our mud kitchen.
- Craft Days | 17 & 20 February
- Drop in to the East Stables for the ultimate crafternoon to print a spring meadow, create origami hearts and birds and weave paper heart baskets.Find out more
- Spotter Sheets | 15 - 23 February
- Explore our gardens and hall using the St Valentines themed spotter sheet discovering some of the love stories of Hardwick. General admission applies for access to the gardens for non-members.Find out more
This Girl Codes Showcase
Visit Hardwick on the 2 March, to delve into the world of digital arts and workshops through a series of fun workshops.
These workshops will feature work created by This Girl Codes participants, who visited these heritage sites and uncovered the stories of inspiring women, Bess of Hardwick who built Hardwick Hall, her Granddaughter Arbella who ran away for love. All of these inspired them to share their stories using textiles, electronics, music production, and projection.
Activities throughout the day will include:
• A DJ playing a mix of tracks made by Shirebrook Academy girls and a soundtrack inspired by Hardwick and Pleasley. There will also be opportunities for people to have a go at DJing at times throughout the day
• Digital weaving activity
• Vegetable power workshop!
• Engineering workshop
The This Girl Showcase is a free exhibition and no booking is required. At Hardwick Hall, for non-National Trust members standard admission applies.
Easter Adventures at Hardwick Hall
Step into a world of tradition and play, as we celebrate Easter Adventures at Hardwick!
With 10 activity stations to find, follow the barefoot trail before you leap into lively Maypole dances. Test your skill as you guide your ball safely down the chutes to mirror the age-old thrill of egg rolling. Then, gather around to "Spin a Yarn," to build your own folklore tale. For the bold and adventurous, our jousting tournament awaits—mount your trusty hobby horse and charge toward victory!
Early bird tickets for outdoor theatre
Plan ahead to summer and book tickets for the family-friendly, all-singing and all-dancing theatre troupe, The Three Inch Fools. Back with new shows 'The Most Perilous Comedie of Elizabeth I' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', this new show and an Elizabethan classic are perfect performances for our special Elizabethan house on the hill.
Visiting the garden at Hardwick Hall
Enjoy serenity in the garden at Hardwick Hall this winter and explore new growth through our Herb Garden and borders.
Eating and shopping at Hardwick
Enjoy tasty food and drink in the Great Barn restaurant or browse in the gift shop. Both are located within a historic setting at Hardwick.
The history of Hardwick Hall
Read how wealth, power and ambition drove Bess of Hardwick to build her grand design, filled with a treasure trove of fine furnishings that can still be seen at the Hall today.