Hardwick House

Hardwick House is a farmhouse, likely dating from the 16th century, with later alterations and extensions. The main front is stuccoed with ironstone, topped by a steeply pitched red tile roof, and features brick ridge and end stacks, including a large central stack on a stone base. The building is arranged on an E-plan.

The two-story-plus-attic structure has a five-window range. The entrance on the left features a four-centred arched stone doorway with chamfered jambs and soffit, a plank door with wrought-iron strap-hinges, and a 20th-century porch. A garage opening is to the left of the entrance. To the right is a two-light stone-mullioned window with four-centred heads and decorative spandrels, a partially blocked similar window, and a blocked doorway. The first floor has three- and five-light wood-mullioned windows and three 20th-century windows. There are two, three-light roof dormers with raking roofs.

The right end of the house has a central doorway with a four-panelled door, overlight, and wooden doorcase with hood. To the left are two two-light stone-mullioned windows with four-centred arched heads; to the right is a four-light window with a cambered head. The first floor features three- and four-light wood-mullioned and transomed windows, with ovolo section mullions. The left end is constructed from brick and ironstone. Single-story extensions have hipped or catslide slate roofs. A two-story gabled projection extends from the far left.

The rear of the house includes two-story wings to the left and right, a two-story rectangular ironstone projection, and a two-story brick staircase projection in between. There’s a three-light stone-mullioned window with four-centred arched heads, along with two- and three-light casements. Some windows have wrought iron casement fasteners.

Inside, the house features a cellar with brick lining and a stone flat floor with a runnel. Stone flag floors are present, and there are massive, chamfered beams. The interior also includes four-centred arched doorways, plank doors, wide floorboards in the attics, and winder staircases. A large inglenook fireplace, now partially concealed behind a later wall and cupboard in a ground floor room to the right of the main entrance, is noteworthy. The roof is a four-bay collar truss structure with butt purlins and wind braces, pegged at the apex.

The house is reputed to incorporate early 16th-century doorways and windows from an earlier manor house located to the north of the present farmhouse. From the 15th to the 17th centuries, the Hardwick estate was held by members of the Cope family, who were prominent in local and national affairs.