The Hardwick
Hall estate in Derbyshire is vast. One part of the Hardwick
estate is given over to a stretch of land known as Lady Spencer's
Walk. It is named after Lady Margaret Georgiana Spencer, mother of
Georgiana Cavendish. Lady Spencer was the wife of the 1st
Earl Spencer of Althrop (from whom Diana, Princess of Wales
descended). Her daughter, Georgiana, lived at Hardwick as the wife of
the 5th Duke of Devonshire.
It was while Lady Spencer
was visiting her daughter that she came upon this walk. This part of
Hardwick was a spot she liked to visit with her granddaughter. Today
it remains a place for families to come and explore.
At this time of year the
first thing that hits you is the smell of wild garlic. It spreads
along the woodland floor like a fragrant green carpet.
The National Trust have
turned the Walk into a woodland activity trail with giant noughts and
crosses games and tree swings.
The kids can tick off 'Build
a den' on their '50
things to do before you're 11¾'.
Trees have been left where
they have fallen and turned into a natural climbing frame. Where else
could you get to scramble up such a large tree trunk?
As we walked back we saw
this engraved love heart in a tree. Who knows how long it has been
there but Georgiana was renowned for her complicated love life.
Our final spot was this
naturally formed drinking bowl. Playing in the trees is thirsty work
and even the forest fairies need a drink.
Love the noughts and crossed, that is really cool. Thanks for linking up to #PointShoot x
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy playing and not just because I won!
DeleteWhat a lovely beautiful place for a walk and exploration! Love the drinking bowl for fairies.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing #LetKidsBeKids
We had a look around but we couldn't see fairies on that day!
DeleteYes! You have to build a den and play in it! Awesome! Looks like you had a fab time :) #myfavouriteplace x
ReplyDeleteMy son loves running in and out of the little 'houses'!
DeleteSuch a lovely place. I wish I can see this as it looks like a paradise. My fave is that drinking bowl formed in the tree! #pointshoot
ReplyDeleteIt's such a nice spot and yet the estate is huge and we have so much more to explore.
DeleteGorgeous - I love the fact there's so many fantastic places like this to explore, and the history behind it. Very cool noughts and crosses too!
ReplyDeleteI love the giant naughts and crosses and natural climbing frame. What a great use of nature. Wild garlic is amazing, we have heaps here on the farm too, I shall be off in search now you have alerted me it is about again already! Thanks for sharing a great place on Country Kids.
ReplyDeleteI love your pictures and I'm really proud of myself for recognising the wild garlic! It sounds like a lovely day out and thanks so much for sharing with #MyFavouritePlace
ReplyDelete