The herb garden at Hardstoft was first opened in 1983 by the present owners. Since then it has grown to become one of the foremost herb gardens in the country.
Consisting of four display gardens in all, the largest is the mixed herb garden which includes an established parterre of sixteen beds.
Mature herbaceous borders flank the sides of this garden becoming a riot of colour during the summer months.
Colourful information posters are situated around the garden giving details of the history and present day uses of herbs in medicine, cooking and prefumery. All plants are labelled in English and Latin.
Within the garden environment, areas of native wild flowers and wild spring bulbs can be enjoyed from March to September. (Don't miss the Bluebell Bank).
Most plants seen in and around the garden can be purchased from the on-site herb nursery. A selection off over 200 varieties of herbs from all over the world are available for sale.
Visitors can wander through this peaceful rural herb garden and enjoy the scents and flavours there. This also enables people to appreciate the size and habit of any plants they may wish to purchase. All the gardens have wheelchair access.
The Physic garden contains many rare and ususual medicinal plants from all over the world. (Some varieties are poisonous!).
The Lavender Garden houses one of the most comprehensive colections of the Lavender family in the country. Over 40 different kinds can be seen. The fragrance of the Lavender Garden can be best appreciated duing the months of July and August.
The Pot Pourri Garden, not surprisingly, specialises in plants which dry well for pot pourri and flower arranging.
Six miles north west of M1 junction 30, along the A616 through Eckington to the B6054. The centre is open all year, 10:30 to 17:00 Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. The centre is housed in a converted 17th-century farm building and comprises 14 craft workshops, a gift shop and a licensed country kitchen. Telephone 01246 231111
Two miles north west of M1 junction 30 along the A616. Open: Easter to September, 10:30 to 16:30 Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. The home of the Sitwell family for nearly 400 years, the hall is open by special request only. The four-acre Italian-style garden containing rare plants, yew hedges, pyramids, ponds and terraces, and the recently opened Museum and Art Gallery, are open to the public. One of Britain's most northerly vineyards is also situated here. Telephone 01777 860755.
Four miles south east of Chesterfield, signposted off the A632 at Arkwright Town. Open: all year (exterior only). The mansion was built in 1724 and abandoned in 1919. Today the dramatic shell of this two-storey building is under the care of English Heritage and is undergoing a programme of consolidation and repair. Telephone 01902 765105.
Three miles south of M1 junction 29 signposted off the A617 to Mansfield. Open: April to October, 12:30 to 17:00, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Finest of the houses built by Bess Shrewsbury, Hardwick is now owned by the National Trust. Famous for its collection of Elizabethan tapestries and needlework, the house is known locally for a completely different reason: "Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall!". Telephone 01246 850430
In the centre of Bolsover, 6 miles east of Chesterfield. Open: April to September, 10:00 to 18:00, October to March, Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 16:00. A castle in name only, this 17th-century mansion is partly ruinous, but the 'Keep' or 'Little Castle' - a delightful romantic folly - is well preserved and full of surprises. English Heritage organise a series of events and re-enactments at the Castle during the summer. Telephone 01246 823349.
8 miles west of Chesterfield, but signposted from M1 Junction 29 and all points west. Open: Easter to October daily. 'The Palace of the Peak' stands in a magnificent setting on the banks of the River Derwent. The estate includes beautiful gardens, cascading fountains, a farmyard, adventure playground, farm shops and garden centre. Telephone 01246 582204.
Open: All year, daily (Peak Cavern closed in winter). There are four impressive show caves located at Castleton. Blue John, one of England's rarest semi-precious stones, can be found at the Blue John and Treak Cliff caverns. Speedwell Cavern is an old lead mine, visited by a mile-long underground boat trip and Peak Cavern is the largest natural cavern in Derbyshire. If you're into caves as a spectator rather than an explorer its also worth visiting the Heights of Abraham at Matlock.
Immaculately restored trams from Britain and overseas transport visitors around a two mile scenic route at Crich.
In the beginning, there was no time and no place. Just men with a mission and a desperate desire to rescue, store and restore as many trams as possible during the tram 'Termination Terror' of the 1950s.
These founders of the future came to Crich one day to remove the former narrow gauge rails on behalf of the Talyllyn Railway. They found an abandoned quarrry, a stone shed dating from 1842 (unwittingly bequeathed by George Stephenson) and a potential site. It was the endof their search and the birth of The National Tramway Museum.
Truly men of vision - for the trams return. By stealth or with fanfare, trams are coming back on track, but at Crich you can see the originals at the most delightfully different 'Action Stop' you'll probably ever find!The place where you can 'all have it all' and where age doesn't matter! Children are just as enthusiastic as their elders, for the tram has novelty appeal, as well as the nostalgia factor.
There are electric trams running every few minutes through the beautiful period street, and up and on to open countryside and panoramic views. And what a variety of trams to see - open, closed, double-deck, single deck, horse-drawn, steam and vintage electric. Trams have been carefully selected and collected from Prague to Portugal, South Africa to Southampton and New York to Yorkshire.
Just over the border in Nottingham you can join the world's greatest mediaval adventure at 'The Tales of Robin Hood'. Of course, its all baloney, Robin Hood was Robin of Locksley, a village to the North of Sheffield. Little John is buried in Derbyshire, Maid Marion was from Barnley and the forest he roamed was at Barnsdale near Pontefract. He even died in Wakefield. The only link with Nottingham is that its Sheriff used to persecute him. However if you must be taken in by the con, a trip to the Major Oak and the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre will soon put you off. Return to North East Derbyshire homepage.
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