Chatsworth House is a stunning stately home in the Derbyshire Peak District not far from Bakewell. It sits at the heart of its own estate right next to the River Derwent and it’s the closest thing you’ll get to a palace without being in one! As such, it is Derbyshire’s most visited tourist attraction and there’s so much to experience on a trip here that you’ll need a whole day to see it all. The house itself, dating back to the 1549, is the obvious centrepiece and the grandeur inside does not disappoint. The state rooms are exquisite and seem to go on forever, but our favourite room is the Painted Hall with a beautiful central staircase.
You can imagine this room has seen many family and estate staff gatherings over the years – like the beating heart of the house. Remember, the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire still have private apartments at Chatsworth so it is still a home as well as a house. We also enjoyed the Great Dining Room and the Library (pictured below) which we thought was really striking and homely. We’d have liked to have seen more of the house though as there are lots of areas you don’t have access to. As you’re looking out of the windows on your tour, think about the Duke who decided to move the entire estate village that used to exist on the other side of the river and rebuild it over the hill out of sight in order to improve his view! The village of Edensor is well worth a visit by the way as each house was constructed individually in a sort of alpine style – it’s gorgeous!
Next stop, the gardens. There are many highlights on a trip around these formal gardens, not least the huge ‘cascade’. This is a waterfall like no other, creating level after level of moving water and it’s hypnotic to watch! Another striking feature, powered from a lake up at the top of the hill, is the Emperor Fountain which shoots a singe jet of water high into the sky from the centre of the Canal Pond in front of the south façade of the house. There are also lawns, modern art, glasshouses and garden features to enjoy. The kitchen garden is also stunning, packed with things to eat!
A short walk from the house is the stables complex. Here you’ll find shops and restaurants surrounding a central courtyard. The food here is good, but the restaurants do get busy at peak times. Beyond the stables is a path leading to the Chatsworth Farmyard. There’s a huge adventure playground here for the kids along with your chance to get up close and personal with the farm animals. At this point you have seen all the paid-for attractions at Chatsworth, but there’s still the whole estate to see. Our favourite walk is following the path through the woods up to the Hunting Tower (pictured below) at the top of the hill. This tower is actually older than Chatsworth House and while you’re up the hill, you’ll get great views and you can see the lake which powers the Emperor Fountain below. Look out also for the stone aqueduct that adds an attractive feature in the middle of the woods.
Chatsworth House is open from Easter to November each year. There are also special events at Christmas in the house and gardens. The estate, café and restaurants are open all year round. Adult admission to the house, gardens, farmyard and playground starts at £29 (2024 prices). There’s an additional charge for parking too.
LOCATION & MAP
Address: Chatsworth House Trust, Chatsworth Estate, Endsor, Bakewell DE45 1PP
Phone: 01246 565300
The map below shows the location of the Chatsworth Estate, but you can move it around to see the huge area that the Peak District covers. Accommodation is also marked on this map.
MORE ON CHATSWORTH HOUSE
Chatsworth House – Official Website
Chatsworth House – Wikipedia