Hardwick Hall Great Barn

The Great Barn is part of the stable block complex belonging to Hardwick Hall. This was built in the sixteenth century by the famous ‘Bess of Hardwick’. Her Hall and the previous house can both be visited as they belong to The National Trust and English Heritage respectively.

The barn probably dates from the 17th century. It has a grain or hay loft at one end which is now the upper story of the restaurant. Although the roof trusses have been repaired, much of the timber-work seems to be original. The trusses have slightly raked queen-posts supporting the principal rafters which support two trenched-purlins and arched wind-braces.