'This gown is extraordinarily rare' - 400-year-old dress originally worn by Bess of Hardwick takes pride of place in exhibition at Hardwick Hall

Visitors will have a rare opportunity to view the violet satin dress that is recorded in Hardwick’s inventories of 1601. The gown has recently been returned to Hardwick after undergoing conservation work at the National Trust Conservation Studio in Norfolk.

The beautiful dress, a rare survivor of its time, will be at the heart of the exhibition, which opens on May 2. Titled Bess’s Dream, the exhibition will give visitors a fresh insight into the life of one of the wealthiest and most powerful figures of the Elizabethan era, revealing the importance of family to her.

Elena Williams, collections and house manager at Hardwick, said: “This gown is far more than simply a piece of clothing. It is extraordinarily rare. Textiles during this period were incredibly valuable and were often passed down or even repurposed, meaning that few examples remain today.

“It survived thanks to Evelyn, the last Duchess to live at Hardwick, who recognised its significance and took steps to store it away and preserve it. Without her intervention, this piece of history may have been lost forever.”

She added: “The gown connects us directly to Bess of Hardwick’s world and invites us to consider the real Bess. She is often portrayed as a formidable and ambitious woman, but this exhibition reveals far more about the real Bess. It highlights her role as a mother who placed great importance on her family in her life.”

A large part of the exhibition is set in Bess’s bedchamber within the grand Elizabethan mansion that she built - now in the care of the National Trust. The exhibition includes a short, animated film inspired by the many letters Bess wrote and received over the years offering a glimpse into her life and family relationships.

The film uses extracts from Bess’s letters in exploring the memories that might have surfaced in her dreams during her final days.

Meanwhile, the film will offer the chance for visitors to immerse themselves in Bess’s life. Using extracts from Bess’s letters, it explores the memories that might have surfaced in her dreams during her final days.

Bess’s Dream runs from May 2 until October 30, 2026. Details about admission to Hardwick Hall and its wider estate can be found on the National Trust website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick