Hardwick Hall Country Park
Encyclopedia
Hardwick Hall County Park is a park located in County Durham
near Sedgefield
. It is registered with the Register of Parks and Gardens as a II* site, which indicates that a park is "of exceptional historic interest."
s, grotto
es and follies
designed primarily by London architect James Paine. Although the grounds and buildings were not subsequently well maintained, the garden retains the basic structure placed by Paine and is an unusual example of authentic 18th century landscape design.
County Durham
had already begun to acquire parts of the property when in 1997 it determined to undertake the preservation of the property. A commissioned study in 1999 provided a detailed estimate of the expenses of restoration and also gave indication of the property's significance, which led to the Register of Parks and Gardens rating the property a II*. With assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund
, the County purchased additional land from the gardens in 2001 and launched a restoration scheme to bring the garden back to its former condition. In addition, the garden includes a visitor centre, cafe, toilets, exhibition, classroom and office.
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
near Sedgefield
Sedgefield
Sedgefield is a small town and civil parish in County Durham, England. It has a population of 4,534.Sedgefield has attracted particular attention as the Member of Parliament for the wider Sedgefield constituency was the former Prime Minister Tony Blair; he was the area's MP from 1983 to 2008,...
. It is registered with the Register of Parks and Gardens as a II* site, which indicates that a park is "of exceptional historic interest."
History
In medieval times, the lands which now comprise the park abutted the manor of Herdwyck. The 18th century saw change, as a new hall was built a new owner—a wealthy businessman from Tyneside named John Burdon—began to develop the grounds. Burdon enhanced the 17 acres (68,796.6 m²) ornamental lake on the south side of the hall by adding an artificial river leading to it and encircling it with a walkway. In all, he laid out 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) of additional ornamental features, including templeTemple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
s, grotto
Grotto
A grotto is any type of natural or artificial cave that is associated with modern, historic or prehistoric use by humans. When it is not an artificial garden feature, a grotto is often a small cave near water and often flooded or liable to flood at high tide...
es and follies
Folly
In architecture, a folly is a building constructed primarily for decoration, but either suggesting by its appearance some other purpose, or merely so extravagant that it transcends the normal range of garden ornaments or other class of building to which it belongs...
designed primarily by London architect James Paine. Although the grounds and buildings were not subsequently well maintained, the garden retains the basic structure placed by Paine and is an unusual example of authentic 18th century landscape design.
County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
had already begun to acquire parts of the property when in 1997 it determined to undertake the preservation of the property. A commissioned study in 1999 provided a detailed estimate of the expenses of restoration and also gave indication of the property's significance, which led to the Register of Parks and Gardens rating the property a II*. With assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund
Heritage Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund is a fund established in the United Kingdom under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. The Fund opened for applications in 1994. It uses money raised through the National Lottery to transform and sustain the UK’s heritage...
, the County purchased additional land from the gardens in 2001 and launched a restoration scheme to bring the garden back to its former condition. In addition, the garden includes a visitor centre, cafe, toilets, exhibition, classroom and office.
External links
- Hardwick Park, Durham County Council.