The Most Instagrammable Spots at Hardwick Hall

I’ve been touring the stately homes of the UK and I’ve been falling in love with all them. I don’t know if it’s the centuries old architecture or furniture, or maybe it’s walking around the perfectly landscaped gardens, or it could be getting a glimpse at how the wealthy lived back in the day. Whatever the reason, I can be certain that walking in and around the houses will give you all of the instagram feels… especially Hardwick Hall!!

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History of Hardwick Hall

Hardwick Hall is located in Chesterfield in Derbyshire, England. It was completed in 1590 during the Elizabethan time by a power woman known as Bess of Hardwick.

Elizabeth or “Bess” was not only besties with Elizabeth I, but she was the second most richest and powerful woman in the country (right below the queen). Bess also came from no money and built her empire from the ground up. Mainly thanks to outliving all four of her husbands.

Her final marriage was to an Earl, making her a Countess and she was not shy about showing it. Every chance she could get (the entrance hall, the plaster work above the fireplace, the ceilings and even the top of the towers on the outside of the house) she placed her initials or her coat of arms.

Even looking at the house you could see Bess showing off her wealth and status. The house is made of more glass that stone. Back in the 16th century, glass was very expensive so with the floor to ceiling windows it was a very grand and stately home.

More recently, Hardwick Hall was featured in the Harry Potter series as Malfoy Manor. That’s right, all the exterior shots of the creepy manor were filmed at Hardwick, which gives it a more grand, mysterious vibe as you’re walking around (if you’ve seen the movies of course or ridden on the Hogwarts Express at Universal Orlando).

So this is my first post in a series about the most instagrammable stately homes around England. I’m breaking down each house and finding the perfect spots for you so you can get your pretty flower garden or Downton Abbey inspired photo.

There’s a handy dandy map at the bottom of the page so you know the exact location of the photo spots. Also, the best time to visit is a weekday (non-holiday) first thing in the morning.

The Best Spots at Hardwick Hall

Of course the main focal point is the beautiful building that stands in front of you, that’s Hardwick Hall. Don’t bother trying to get a photo at the front of the house. Walk around back and you can get the exact same picture (the house is symmetrical) with no one in sight. (purple pin)

The Most Instagrammable Spots at Hardwick Hall | The Crave Traveler

Walk around the side of Hardwick Hall and you’ll go through a doorway with wildflowers and vines draped all over the archway. (pink pin)

Look to your left and you will see a very Alice in Wonderland style tree that you can sit under, lean on or just hug. (green pin)

Continuing with the Alice theme, you’re going to walk towards the front of Hardwick Hall, look to your left and you’ll find a few perfectly pruned hedges. (red pin)

Keep walking past the house, against the wall and you’ll get a great shot with the wildflowers and the house in the background. (yellow pin)

Continue further down the wall and you’ll see a door at the end. It’s the perfect shade of blue! (dark blue pin)

Walk across to the other side of the hall and you can take your picture from the center of the grass and get the entire tower in the picture to show everyone how massive the hall really is. I also think it gives you that Malfoy Manor creepy/mysterious Harry Potter vibe. (Bring your cloak and wand!!!) (orange pin)

Walk in front of the hall and over to the next tower area. You can get a nice close up shot of the windows (since the windows are the star of the show!) with the perfect lighting. (gray pin)

Right next to that tower is the wall. It looks super castle-y (I’m always making up words!) and it has a very whimsical tree that you can stand next to. (light blue pin)

That takes care of the gardens, you can always grab some shots inside the hall to. There are plenty of grand hallways, beautiful furniture, and detailed fireplaces that will transport your picture back to the 1500s. (Kudos and extra points if you dress in 16th century attire – I didn’t get the kudos or the extra points). (brown pin)

Check out the handy dandy map for all the locations. If you put it on the satellite view then you can get a super detailed perspective of where all the locations are.