Visiting Hardwick Park in Sedgefield, Durham County

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One of my favorite short walks in Durham County, here is my guide to visit Hardwick Park in Sedgefield; A beautiful Georgian Country Park.

Hardwick Park is one of the many good walks in Durham County, but one that my family and I continue to return; Whether to take off the web of Sunday morning, let the little burn some energy and stretch the dog’s legs. To be honest, they are often all three.

This Country Park, on the outskirts of the lovely town of Sedgefield (home with two excellent pubs and food places – The impeccable pig AND The pastor in pickle), It is worth visiting throughout the year, with Autumn it is my particular favorite moment for a tramp. You will find a beautiful lake, dense forest with a surprise the size of a large size for the smallest, georgian crazy things and green hills on a relatively short and flat circular route. If you are looking for a place to visit this weekend in Durham County, why not go to Hardwick Park?

Hardwick Park

HISTORY

In 1748, John Burdon inherited £ 40,000 of his father and used that money to buy Hardwick Hall and around 200 acres. The room itself never received any applause, once it was described as ‘No architectural interest ‘But the ornamental gardens more that caught the attention. In fact, Hardwick Park is now an accredited attraction of England!

After buying Hardwick Hall, John Burdon hired James Paine, a famous London architect responsible for many works throughout the country, even in Chatsworth House, Middleton Lodge in North Yorkshire, as well as Raby Castle and Gibsis more locally. What they created in just three years was beautiful and can now continue to be enjoyed by everyone thanks to a 10 -year restoration project of Durham Durham.

What to see in Hardwick Park

The main route on foot, the 1 -mile historical circuit walk, will allow you to enjoy all Hardwick Park’s views while wandering through the artificial lake of 17 acres.

If you start at the Visitors Center, you will reach the Great Gothic Ruina of the gateway that was built to seem that it had succumbed to the environment; ruined from the Middle Ages. Within the Serpentino river adjacent to Gothic ruin is the statue of Neptune that makes great photographs.

While heading towards Hardwick Hall, you will find Gruffalo characters that children will love. You will walk along the great terrace, dodging the geese, the swans and the ducks, as well as their ‘excrement’, before passing the Gothic seat (another of the many ‘follies’ created here). There is also the site of the old bathroom house, the Retiro Bonus (which used to house a library) before reaching the open hills with the impressive Minerva temple built at its peak. He cannot access the interior of the temple, but the vaulted square is surrounded by twenty columns and is an incredible backdrop for the designated barbecue and the picnic area.

Returning to the Visitors Center now and the end of its walk, it will pass through the forest area with an impressive Gothic bridge and some small surprises for children.

Special events in Hardwick Park

Every year, you can expect to see some very special events in Hardwick Park, including the famous Hardwick Festival that attracts many great names in the music industry; Think of Snow Patrol & Blossoms for the 2024 edition. The tickets are depleted very much, but watch the official page here If you feel like trying to get tickets for next year! There are also classic cars shows in the fields next to Hardwick Hall that show some quite impressive cars if you like such things; I visited recently and really enjoyed admiring/taking photos of the cars.

Food and drink

You have many options here in Hardwick Park with two excellent places to have coffee, lunch or even a beer if you feel like it; A coffee at the Visitors Center and a living room and bar on the opposite side of the Lake at the Hardwick Hall Hotel. There is also the Rib Room Steakhouse & Grill at the Hardwick Hall Hotel if you feel like something a little more substantial.

Normally we go to the living room at the hotel to have coffee and tea before taking our walk along the lake. We did this regularly when Evelyn was a newborn and slept in her stroller. The decoration is quite opulent with leather sofas, walls with panels and candlesticks.

The Tower Cafe is inside the visitors center right next to the parking lot and a large game area for children. You can drink hot drinks to wear for your walk or sit and choose between sandwiches, soup, cakes and cakes.

Get here

Hardwick Park is outside the town of Sedgefield in Durham County; A few miles east of the A1 (Junction 60). Google/Apple maps are reliable but, just in case, the postal code to be used is TS21 2DN. From Sedgefield himself, you will find the park to a short mile on foot to the west through the fields.

PARKING

The main parking lot for Hardwick Park is right next to the Visitors, Café and Play Center. It is difficult to ignore once you follow the brown Hardwick Park signs from the road. The parking lot costs £ 2.50 for two hours or £ 3.50 for the whole day. Motorcycles are free! You can pay for parking with cash or for the phone application.

Normally we parked at the Hardwick Hall Free Hotel, we go to coffee at the hotel to have coffee before walking. I am quite sure that the parking lot is for hotel guests and presumably to customers, we have never had a problem before you buy something at the hotel!

If you go to Hardwick Park and need more information or want recommendations on where to visit below, do not hesitate to leave a comment below and will contact you as soon as possible!

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