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Chatsworth House – One of England’s Finest Estates

Chatsworth House is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Located in North Derbyshire, England, it has been passed down through sixteen generations of the Cavendish family. A stately home, which means a large house or mansion in the English countryside. Chatsworth is often chosen via surveys as Britain’s favorite country house. I can understand why; this is the first stately home I visited as a child, and it’s where my obsession with mansions began.

This massive house sits in a beautiful garden, which is almost 105 acres. An almost two-mile-long wall surrounds it. The beautiful enormous heritage house is over three hundred years old, and the house’s interior carries all signs of the aristocracy and the elegance of England. This heritage building served as the seat of the Cavendish family from the year 1549.

Chatsworth House England has been used as a filming location for several films. The most famous is Pride & Prejudice, where Mr. Darcy’s estate scenes are shot at Chatsworth House. We almost get to see the beautiful infrastructure of Chatsworth House in the movie.

Chatsworth House Cover

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Note: Due to COVID, you can not enter the house at this point. However, you can still visit the grounds and gardens. 

Why Visit Chatsworth House?

Most people that travel to England flock to London in the south. This is understandable as London is the capital and is home to many attractions that most people want to visit. Yet, London is only one of the highlights of England.

I’m from the north, so naturally, I recommend you visit the north. In this case, North Derbyshire. In other words, you can’t possibly appreciate all England offers unless you venture north.

Why Chatsworth House? Well, as mentioned above, it’s renowned and a favorite for many. It encapsulates the luxury and grandeur of the rich and noble. It takes you on a historical journey through the estate’s life and the families that own it, and it gives you the chance to explore the magnificent gardens that are an intricate part of country estates. The house also played a role in the famous story of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary was imprisoned several times at Chatsworth House!

For me, it’s just divine. I’ve visited many times, often as a child, then returned several times as an adult ex-pat. This estate will give you a real taste of English country life. And the opulence that comes along with it.

Sometimes referred to as “the jewel in the Peak District’s crown,” let’s explore.

Chatsworth House

The History Of Chatsworth House

Sir William Cavendish, the Treasurer of the King’s Chamber, commissioned the building in 1553 for his wife, Bess of Hardwick. Cavendish passed before the completion. However, his wife continued the build. The house was completed in 1560, and Bess continued to live there with her fourth husband, George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury. When Bess died, her eldest son Sir Henry Cavendish inherited the estate, but he sold it to his brother William Cavendish, 1st Earl of Devonshire, for £10,000.

The ranking system for British nobility known as the peerage works like this in descending order, Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron.

The house was passed down through 16 generations of Earl and Dukes of Devonshire through the centuries. Fast forward to the 20th century. Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire, who owned Chatsworth House, died in 1908. As a result of the social reform of the 20th century, £500,000 of death duties became due. The estate was already in debt from prior owners overspending. This death tax resulted in the family selling off a vast book collection, including Shakespeare artifacts and thousands of land acres.

The War Era

In 1939 the house became a public school for girls—a wise move from the then-owner – Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire. At this time, country estates were being used as barracks for World War II. Due to this, the savvy Duke anticipated potential damage from being a barrack and came up with the idea of using the estate as a school. This move paid off; Chatsworth House was spared damages.

Following the war, Edward Cavendish transferred all of his assets to his son Andrew Cavendish, 11th Duke of Devonshire, to avoid death taxes (death duties). Sadly, the timing of his death did not enable the lifetime exemption to apply. This resulted in the current owner Andrew Cavendish acquiring a £7 million debt on the estate.

The Revival of Chatsworth House

Despite the debt, Andrew Cavendish, 11th Duke of Devonshire, decided he wanted to keep the family house. Andrew sold thousands of acres of land, more of the estate artwork, and transferred Hardwick Hall to the National Trust instead of a tax. Despite these efforts, it took 17 years to complete tax negotiations on the estate. The Chatsworth Settlement Trustees were established in 1946 to manage the estate.

In 1959 Andrew Cavendish, his wife, Deborah Mitford, and their children moved back into Chatsworth House. In 1981, Chatsworth Settlement Trustee created a new Chatsworth House Trust to preserve the house and open it to the public. This new trust manages the home but allows the Duke and his family to continue living at Chatsworth House.

Almost 300,000 travelers and tourists visit Chatsworth House every year. A fraction of the 1.4 million visitors that The Biltmore Estate in North Carolina enjoys.

The Interior Of Chatsworth House 

When you are in the Chatsworth House, England, you will immediately understand why this house is Britain’s favorite country house.

When you enter Chatsworth House, the main greeting room is the Painted Hall. It’s an unusual grand hall as it is square, has a wrap-around balcony, and on each corner, there is are circular overlooking balcony.  The Painted Hall has murals completed in 1694 by Louis Laguerre.

The Painted Hall

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Simon Broadhead & Chatsworth Marketing Team, Courtesy Photo

From Painted Hall, you then begin the tour. Chatsworth has 126 rooms, and you can only view 26 of them. As you tour, you see the artwork of Louis Laguerre and Antonio Verrio.

The Great Dining Room

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Simon Broadhead & Chatsworth Marketing Team, Courtesy Photo

The State Drawing Room

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Simon Broadhead & Chatsworth Marketing Team, Courtesy Photo

Despite selling various artifacts over the years, the house is still full of masterpieces, and there is plenty to see inside this home.

The Gardens Of Chatsworth House

For me, the gardens of Chatsworth House are where the natural beauty lies. Don’t get me wrong; the inside is beautiful and exciting. The gardens are breathtaking – especially if you experience them during the summer.

The Cascade and Cascade House

The Cascade, for me, is the most stunning part of the garden. I have fond memories of playing in the water and enjoying a picnic. Thomas Archer designed the Cascade. Initially built in 1669 and rebuilt in 1701, the grand baroque Temple or Cascade House was added in 1703. This Cascade is another English favorite. In 2004 the Cascade was voted the best water feature in England by  Country Life.

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DPC Photography & Chatsworth Marketing Team, Courtesy Photo

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DPC Photography & Chatsworth Marketing Team, Courtesy Photo

The Maze

Ah, the maze! Many mansions and estates of this era across the world have a maze. Often they are called “labyrinths.” Despite being referred to as the same, they are different. A labyrinth consists of a single pathway, and a maze has many.

While a standard feature of many estates, what’s the actual purpose? Well, there are a few.  You can compete and see who can complete it, get lost, or meet your secret love out of sight as many period films depict.

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Simon Broadhead & Chatsworth Marketing Team, Courtesy Photo

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Chatsworth Marketing Team, Courtesy Photo

The gardens are vast; you could spend an entire day viewing the gardens alone. Here are some highlights:

  • Canal Pond – This artificial lake is the long rectangular lake to the south of the house.
  • Seahorse Fountain – Sitting in the circular pond on the lawn between the house and the Canal Pond.
  • Willow Tree Fountain – This is not a real tree. It is an imitation tree that squirts water out of its branches.
  • The First Duke’s Greenhouse – Located by the main lawn and is fronted by a rose garden.
  • Flora’s Temple – This contains a statue of the goddess Flora by Caius Gabriel Cibber.

Then there are several other gardens and greenhouses scattered across the estate for you to view. The River Derwent is just beside the house, and you can enjoy the views of the low hills between the Derwent and Wye valleys from the banks of the river.

The Location Of Chatsworth House

The address of the house is Bakewell DE45 1PP, United Kingdom.

  • At the M1, take junction 29, Chesterfield, and follow the brown signs: 16 miles.
  • Beginning at Matlock, take the A6, then the B6012: 8 miles.
  • From Manchester, take the A6 and A623: 38 miles.
  • A 30-minute drive from Chesterfield railway station.
  • A 40-minute drive from Sheffield railway station.

Where To Stay Near Chatsworth House

While you can’t stay in the main house, there are several options to remain in the park’s estate:

Booking.com

Chatsworth House Stables

Created by James Paine, the stables are two stories high and accompanied by towers. These stables once stalled 80 horses and had an onsite blacksmith shop. The stables and courtyard are now home to The Cavendish Rooms, consisting of a cafe and a shop, along with rooms to hire for events.

Looking at the stables’ sheer size, you might assume that this is the main house if you do not know better. Regardless, it’s an impressive building.

Photo By Daderot 

Estate Farm Shop

This is not an ordinary farm shop. The farm shop is another award winner for Chatsworth House. You can purchase a variety of items that are locally sourced:

  • Meats and fresh fish
  • Fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Well-stocked delicatessen
  • Delicious patisseries
  • Wines, beers, and soft drink

Park And Woods 

Free of charge, Chatsworth park covers about 1,000 acres. This vast park is home to tenant farmers or smallholders. It also boasts several fish ponds and a bridge over the river to the old village of Edensor,

Pro Trip: If this is your first visit to England be sure to check out Edensor. It’s a charming little village with a lovely church that is worth exploring.

The park has The Hunting Tower and public paths through the area. Chatsworth offers guided tours with commentary in a 28-seater trailer pulled by a tractor.

Farmyard & Playground

A favorite for the children, the farmyard at Chatsworth lets children meet ponies and lambs, take a trailer ride,  swing, climb and splash around. There are also special activities during Easter, Halloween, and Christmas.

Events At Chatsworth House

Chatsworth Country Fair – September

They feature spectacular grand ring displays in the air and on land, demos from celebrity chefs, and entertainment for the family.

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Chatsworth Marketing Team, Courtesy Photo

Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials – May

Enjoy the world-class competition from elegant dressage and exciting show jumping to gripping cross country.

Christmas

There’s nothing better (in my opinion) than visiting mansions and estates at Christmas. If for nothing else, an overdose of Christmas decorations is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit.

But let’s assume you already have the Christmas spirit. Mansions are known for being outrageous; no expense spared decorations. Often, unique themes in each room with a variety of color schemes. And, each year, new themes appear.

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DPC Photography & Chatsworth Marketing Team, Courtesy Photo

Chatsworth also runs two annual rural skills weeks, in which demonstrations of agricultural and forestry are given to groups of schoolchildren on the estate farms and woods.

FAQs About Chatsworth House

The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire live in Chatsworth House and occupy a private flat in the house.

Peregrine Cavendish, 12th Duke of Devonshire, and Amanda Carmen Heywood-Lonsdale.

Chatsworth House is no stranger to films!  Pride and Prejudice, The Duchess, and The Wolfman are just some examples.

Closing Thoughts

Chatsworth House England is a classic estate everyone visiting England should have on their radar. Much older than American estates and with hundreds of years of lineage, this home will not disappoint.  At one point, Queen Victoria decided that Hampton Court’s state apartment interior design should mimic that of Chatsworth House. This alone should tell you that it’s well worth a visit.

Contributor: Jais Frank is a freelance content writer and enthusiastic blogger. He contributes to many authority blogs such as rslonline.

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20 Comments

  1. It’s a pity that one cannot enter Chatsworth House at the moment due to Covid restrictions because it looks magnificent. I was wondering where I have seen it and then I read that it’s where several movies have been shot, and I probably remember it from Pride and Prejudice. I would love to visit it some day, it’s the type of architecture which I love seeing. Doesn’t seem like it will be for a while though, hoping for the Covid situation to get over really!

    1. I agree, the estates over here in the US are open but only a few people can enter at a time. Yeah, I bet you’ve seen it on TV before :) Nikki

  2. The artistry in this estate is incredible. I’ve never heard of it but it sounds like the kind of spot that’s down our alley. I love charming, historical places like this. Kinda reminds me of visiting Castles here in France. Definitely adding this to our England bucket list once travel returns!

    1. Hi there.
      Most have never heard of it – well by most I mean those not from the North of England. Defo add it to your list, you won’t be disappointed :) Nikki

  3. This mansion looks grand! I think I can spend a whole day in there and in the garden, pretending I’m a duchess or one of the characters in Pride and Prejudice. I’ve only been to England once, and like most visitors to England who’s short of time, I only visited London. Next time, if I visit again, I’ll certainly make it a point to venture north and see places like this.

    1. Hi there,
      Yes – the North hold some real gems:) I grew up in the UK but never appreciated just how much beauty there is. When I retire I plan to do a major drive around the entire coast line. Nikki

  4. It always amazes me how much wealth there was/is in Britain. I’ll have to rewatch Pride & Prejudice but bummer that right now it’s closed off. The gardens and maze would be my favorite spots too.

    1. Tell me about it…. that tiny little island is smaller than Florida! And all the control they had and the money. It’s fascinating…… Nikki

  5. I do love to visit properties like Chatsworth House that are well maintained. The gardens are always a relaxing retreat from a busy tour day. It is always fascinating to get a peek back at the luxury and grandeur of another era. So awesome that the interior has been maintained and restored. I would just want to lay on the floor and look at that ceiling painting! Definitely a fun spot to visit at Christmas.

    1. Me too – I love stepping back in time:) And, I also enjoy viewing (when possible) the ones that are decrepit. I know that sounds bonkers but the mystery of how they became abandoned fascinates me:) Nikki

  6. I thought I recognized this estate somehow and then you mentioned it was used as a filming location for Pride & Prejudice. Interesting that the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire occupy a private flat in the house. They probably charge a lot to allow visitors on their property. At any rate, this looks like a gorgeous place to spend your days. Except for London, I’ve never been anywhere in England, so I’ll definitely add Chatsworth to my list. I’d like to visit it in September, to take advantage of the Chatsworth Country Fair and taste some delicacies from the celebrity chefs.

    1. Hey there,
      It’s actually relatively cheap to visit. And, get this the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire pay fair market rent. I don’t know what this means. Aka, based on square feet or the fact that they are living in a stately home. Either way, the fair rent they pay was a part of the deal struck:) Nikki

  7. Wow, the inside of the Chatsworth House is just stunning. It’s a shame you can’t go inside right now, but I’ll have to make it a stop the next time I’m in England post-COVID. Love being able to see the history of the rich and noble in such an accessible way.

  8. I love exploring the manors in England but didn’t make it to Chatsworth House. It was on my list but there is never enough time. The Painted Hall and gardens are incredible! I didn’t know it was the filming location of Pride and Prejudice – now I’m super motivated to take a tour.

    1. Totally agree, there is never enough time. I learn of new estates here in the states daily and it baffles me:) Oh, and yes, the filming took place here so well worth checking out. Nikki

  9. We were at Chatsworth a few years ago, it’s an amazing place to visit. The house itself is spectacular and the gardens and grounds are lovely to walk around. It definitely requires a full day visit.
    We also visited Hardwick Hall in 2019, Bess of Hardwick”s previous residence. That is also very impressive.
    Excellent article on Chatsworth, without a doubt the best I have seen.

    1. Wow, Tony, that’s a huge compliment – thank you! It’s a special one for me because it was the first estate I ever visited as a child. I am going to take a look at Hardwick Hall. I’ve never been there “yet”. Keep me posted on any others you visit. I am into castles, estates, places, and mansions:) Nikki

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