Hardwick Hall
Alexander Iles
In County Durham, just half an hour from Sunderland, is the beautiful old country hall now converted into a hotel: Hardwick Hall. This award-winning hotel is situated within Hardwick Country Park. The park was refurbished in 1999 at a cost of £4.1 million granted by the heritage lottery fund. This allowed the park to be restored, with many of the buildings, such as the temple of Minerva, restored to the beauty enjoyed in the 18th century. The estate was built by John Burton so that he would be able to enjoy his own pleasure grounds on the estate. Like many of the parks at the time it was made to look natural, with one of the two manmade lakes in the park designed to look like a river. This deception is not unwelcome and relaxes and catches the eye while you enjoy a walk around the park. A key part of the park is the ornamental buildings and ruins that can be found amongst the wooded trails and next to the manmade lakes. These were designed to create a wonderful trail, becoming more ornate as you continue, until you finish at the location where you started. This all adds to the surroundings of this delightful four-star hotel.
The fifty luxury bedrooms have all been designed to give you the best comfort, while the boutique hotel rooms include spacious bathrooms with either large baths or walk-in showers and luxurious furnishings as well as king-size beds. One of greatest attractions for Hardwick Hall is the events spaces that it offers, with the hotel regularly being chosen as a location for festivals, music conferences and gatherings. They also offer their own in-house banquets that can be booked for corporate events, birthdays, or any other celebration. It is also a popular wedding venue with the grounds being a fantastic option for couples looking for beautiful surroundings with accommodation for their big day. Hardwick Hall is certainly a beautiful option for any visitor to the North East.
