London Day 8

June 13, 2007

Today was a very long day. We started bright and early at 7:00 am and headed on the train out into the countryside. We got great views green-rolling hills spotted with sheep as we made our way to Hardwick Hall.

This was a place were there was an old Hardwick Hall and a new Hardwick Hall. You see an extremely rich woman Bessy Hardwick was married and first lived in the old Hardwick and then after her first husband died she wanted to take that money and build a larger more grand home with more window so she did so right next to the old hall which then went to ruins. The ruins were very interesting to walk through because most of the floors were gone and you could see through the entire home.

In addition, with it built using old forms of architecture many walls remained with simple window cut outs.

The home was originally four stories high, which allowed for great views of the surrounding countryside. Holly and I took great advantage of this.

The old Hardwick Hall gave such inspiration for photograph. I could only imagine being all dressed up in a vintage dress taking pictures in the ruins. Here is a shot of Chance and I.

Heading into the new Hardwick Hall Holly and I were knocking but no one would let us in.

So we decided to sit and rest our feet

We were not allowed to take pictures of the interior here but it is known for it’s extensive use of tapestries on the walls, and let me tell you every single wall was covered with a large tapestry.

After Hardwick Hall we went even further into the country to Haddon Hall. This is a medieval built home and is famous for it’s tudor construction. This is where the Pride and Prejudice was filmed and my professor loves that movie so we went there. Unfortunately I have never seen that movie so it held little significance for me. That is until our guide mentioned that part of The Princess Bride was filmed here. This is the archway that Princess Buttercup walks out into the courtyard when the old woman is booing her.

This home had beautiful architecture.

Along with the architecture are these amazing rose gardens.

It smelled so sweet.Katie and I decided to be silly and see if the roses tasted as sweet as they smelled. They didn't.Out side of the house was a beautiful pasture of wild flowers i could not help but stop for a photo opp.