Hardwick parkland and Lady Spencer's Wood

Four and a quarter miles and a little over two hours round the parkland below Bess of Hardwick's two halls, on estate tracks and grass with one climb back up to the ridge. Start from the main National Trust car park at Hardwick, three miles south-west of Bolsover, free to members and paid otherwise, with the ponds and Lady Spencer's Wood signed from it. Hardwick is a working farm with rare-breed longhorn cattle and sheep so dogs must be on a lead at all times across the estate, dogs on leads are welcome in the stableyard but not the formal gardens, and there are water bowls and dog bins around the estate.