Hardwick Park is one of only two designed landscapes in the historic boundaries of County Durham (the other is at Gibside). Designed by James Paine for John Burdon in the 1700’s. It fell into disrepair during the twentieth century when it was given over to agriculture and forestry and many of the follies which adorned the park were demolished, sold off or pillaged for building materials. In the 1990’s Durham County Council began a major restoration project and Tony Smith, now chairman of The Friends of Hardwick, then a landscape architect with the County Council leading the team which undertook whiundertook the restoration, gave us a most instructive tour of the park including the restored buildings and the 17 acre lake which has been recreated whilst also outlining the further restoration planned for the future.