Standing on a windblown scarp in north east Derbyshire, Hardwick Hall is an important landmark. Internationally, it is a nonpareil that history and chance have miraculously preserved – one of the greatest of all Elizabethan houses, with architecture that is unusually wholly English, with a collection of embroideries and tapestries that is unrivalled in Europe and with one of the most spectacular Elizabethan interiors of any house in England. Constructed to the design of Robert Smythson between 1590 and 1597 by Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury, better known as Bess of Hardwick, the building was of radical design for its time. Over the course of the past four centuries the uncommonly large windows have allowed light to flood rooms filled with textiles whilst externally the soft local sandstone has borne the brunt of the wind and rain. Though the stonework and textiles have been subject to periodic campaigns of restoration by the Dukes since the 18th century, the elements have wrought a heavy toll on the place. Following the death of the 10th Duke of Devonshire in 1950 and in acknowledgement of its pre-eminent position in the nation’s history, Hardwick, its collections, gardens, park and immediate estate, together with 6,500 hectares of moorland in the Peak District, was transferred to the Treasury in settlement of death duties. In 1959 it passed into the care of the National Trust. Financial responsibility for repair of the fabric, conservation of contents and the operating deficit was accepted by the Government. Over time funds from this source have dwindled and, though a programme of stone repairs and tapestry conservation is still partially funded by English Heritage, there is a mounting backlog of work which must be addressed if one of our greatest heritage assets is to survive for future generations in a state of repair appropriate to its importance. Rodney Melville, and subsequently Rodney Melville & Partners, was appointed as the Trust’s Architect for Hardwick in 1972 and has been directing an annual programme of repairs since that date. A recent programme, costing £2.5m, embraced a further phase of masonry repairs, re-glazing of windows, conservation of tapestries and fabrics and the repair, strengthening and consolidation of garden walls. The Practice carried out geological research into possible locations of building stone to match that used in constructing the Hall and also identified a source of handmade cylinder glass to give the reglazed windows some sparkle and ‘movement’. In addition to directing the ongoing stonework repairs to the Hall, the Practice has overseen an ongoing programme of repairs to Hardwick Hall’s several miles of stone boundary walls. 1997-2001: In the early life of the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Practice lodged an application for English Heritage and Lottery funding to aid conservation works at Hardwick Hall. To support the application, the Practice prepared an illustrated prototype conservation plan outlining the significance of the building and its collections, the threats, the nature of the proposed works and benefits of the scheme to the general public. The application for £2½ million proved successful. In 2001 the Practice assisted the National Trust in securing a further HLF grant of £2½ million for Hardwick. The granting of monies from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage has enabled further works of repair to be undertaken along with the provision of new museum rooms, an education centre etc. The total value of these works was £6,390,000. Value of contracts: Phases of work within the last 5 years: £6.5 million. New Visitor Facilities: Approx £3 million