Rowthorne, Hardwick Park (and Teversal), 17th October 2021

Dave took ten VBR members and three guests on this 10.3 mile walk starting at Rowthorne Trail car park, taking the trail and fields to Rowthorne itself and then  Ault Hucknall for coffee before entering Hardwick Park.  A trip round the fish ponds and a climb up to the Old Hardwick Hall was followed by lunch just after the Stone Mason's Cottage.

After passing through Lady Spencer's Wood, Elaine and three others left us at Norwood House to cut out 3 miles and the remainers crossed fields to reach St Katherine's Church in the manorial village of Teversal (the fictional home of Lady Chatterley) for a break.  The route back then followed the Teversal Trail to regain the Rowthorne Trail and the car park.

Dave welcomes the visitors

Our leader with two visitors from Broxtowe Ramblers

St John the Baptist's Church, Ault Hucknall

Coffee in the cemetery, Ault Hucknall

Entering the Hardwick Estate

All the stone used to build the Old and New Halls was quarried in Hardwick Park

View across the fish pond of the Hardwick Halls

Leaving the fish ponds

Duck Decoy.  There is a covered channel nearby which was used to trap ducks (for eating)

Hardwick Hall - National Trust

Hardwick Old Hall, birthplace of Bess of Hardwick

Stone Mason's cottage - worth a visit when open to see how Hardwick Hall is being restored

St Katherine's Church, Teversal

The long route (10.3 miles) and the shortcut.