Renishaw, halfway between Sheffield and Chesterfield, is an oasis of beauty and the arts in an area otherwise dominated by industry and mining.

The gardens at Renishaw Hall are among the most important Italianate gardens in the country. The principles of Italian gardening include garden rooms, views and the sight and sound of still and moving water.
The eight acres of garden are divided into 12 smaller rooms by yew hedges, each with its own character. There are three rose gardens containing many historic varieties underplanted with clematis, peonies, lilies and geraniums and interplanted with unusual flowering shrubs.

More than 1,000 roses flower in the summer, scenting the air and blooming beside the many classical Italian statues - this has led some to call this the most romantic garden in England.
Deep lush herbaceous borders with carefully-chosen colour themes flank the middle lawn which leads on to the White Garden and the Ballroom Garden where the flowers are blue, yellow and white and Anthony Noel has added focus and drama to the planting. There is also a secret garden with a pocket handkerchief tree and an Indian bean tree.

The visitor must also see the Bottom Terrace which is a sheltered south facing border some 200m long, in a perfect position to grow some rare and tender shrubs and flowers in almost jungle-like profusion. This is in complete contrast to the fishpond garden, opposite where the geometric design of water, yew, and grass is unrelieved by any flower planting.

To either side of the formal gardens are walks in a more natural landscape. Lady Ida's Walk takes in fantastic yew trees and offers long views across the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. On the other side of the garden there is a woodland walk that leads to Renishaw's three lakes, two contemporary with the garden (c1890), and the other dug out in the winter of 2000. There are ponds in the formal gardens, the central one reflecting its tall spray of water, and flanked by classical statues gazing out over the view.