Wednesday 8 September 2021

Hardwick Inn 7 ¼ miles Weather Hot

Leaders: Jane H and John H-T

No. on walk 17

We met at Hardwick Inn car park. Lovely warm September day, haze around, but sunny and later on hot with some light breeze, a lovely walking day. 17 of us met up and set off along some overgrown field paths and stubble fields to Stanley village. Then across some more fields to the Silverhill Country Park, created out of reclaimed colliery land. It is a lovely area of scrub, coppice and ponds, which is a haven for wild life. Birds and insects were everywhere, so lovely and some interesting plants including Sea Buckthorn, which is unusual for inland areas. It’s amazing how nature can come back with some skilful help. After a relaxing lunch break by some of the ponds, which were home to at least 3 Herons.

Onward to an old tramway track, The Teversal Trail. Then over some more stubble fields to enter the Hardwick Hall Park. In the park we had a lovely path through some wonderful mature woodland, which was lovely and cool. We suddenly emerged to walk between magnificent Lime trees, lining the view towards Hardwick Hall. We walked down the driveway to the National Trust car park, exiting via a gate, then steeply down the hill to the Inn, where unfortunately we were unable to enjoy a cuppa as they were very busy. But all in all, a lovely walk with smashing company. What a varied area! Jane H.

The above pictures by James W

PIctures below by John H-T