Hardwick Hall and the Gideon Tapestries

Hardwick Hall and the Gideon Tapestries

Thursday 04 July 2024

As one of the finest Elizabethan buildings in the country, Hardwick Hall - a National Trust property - is a perfect place to discover and explore historic architectural and artistic delights. From the first view of the grand Entrance Hall, up the twisting and turning staircase decorated with tapestries to the top of the Elizabethan floor, head on a journey of extravagance and power.

Hardwick Hall is renowned for its textiles, including an extensive collection of tapestries. Last year the final Elizabethan Gideon Tapestry was returned home, signalling the end of the National Trust's longest running conservation project at over 24years.

Brought to the hall after Bess of Hardwick went on a shopping spree in 1592/3 in London, the set of 13 Gideon tapestries line the Hall’s Long Gallery and portray the biblical story of Gideon.

The conservation of each Gideon tapestry cost £278,000, with a project total of £1.7million. Each tapestry took over two years to complete extensive repairs and stabilisation work. The final tapestry now hanging proudly in the Long Gallery took over 5,470 hours of conservation stitching, lining and reconstruction.

Now, this cinematic set of tapestries are reunited together for the first time in over two decades.

NB The cost of the trip is £25 per person. If you are NOT a NT member, you will have to pay £18.05 entrance fee on arrival to Hardwick Hall.

Further Details:

Cost per person: £25.00

Booking has now closed for this event.

When:   Thursday 4 July 2024

Pick-Up: Stanley Green Retail Park, Cheadle - 9.15am

                Royal Northern College of Music, Booth Street - 9.45am

Depart Approx 4 pm

Bring your own picnic lunch or eat the Hall restaurant

Cost:  £25 per person. If you are NOT a member of the National Trust, you will have to pay  £18.05 entrance fee on arrival to Hardwick Hall. NT members are free.