Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House is a beautiful stately home nestled amongst 737 hectares beautiful landscaped gardens and Derbyshire countryside. Located between Bakewell and Chesterfield, the house stands proudly on the east bank of the River Derwent between both the Derwent and Wye valleys.
Home to the Cavendish family since 1549, both Chatsworth House and Chatsworth Garden are open to the public throughout the year.
About Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House is home to an abundance of artwork spanning 4,000 years, including works by Rembrandt, Reynolds, and Veronese. Visitors to the house can revel in the beauty of these and marvel at the splendor of 25 open rooms, from the opulent Great Dining Room to the breathtaking Painted Hall.
Chatsworth Garden is also open to visitors. Covering 105 acres, this eclectic garden showcases a blend of different features from six different centuries, including Elizabethan, baroque, and modern styles. Visitors to the gardens can enjoy both the beauty of the surrounding Derbyshire countryside as well as unique features including a vast array of water fountains, rockeries, the arboretum, sculptures, and gardens both large and small.
History Of Chatsworth House
The history of Chatsworth House starts in 1549, when the Leche family sold the estate to Sir William Cavendish, Treasurer of the King’s Chamber. The house was finished in 1560 and was home to Cavendish’s widow, Bess of Hardwick, George Talbot and Mary, Queen of Scots, before being purchased by William Cavendish, 1st Earl of Devonshire.
Since then, the house has been owned and run by the Cavendish family. In the 18th century it became home to a vast array of art including paintings, Old Master drawings and prints, ancient coins and Greek and Roman structures.
Today Chatsworth is home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The house is leased to the Chatsworth House Trust, which was established in 1981 and visitor admission goes to the long-term preservation of the house, collections, gardens, woodland and park.
What’s On At Chatsworth House
Day-to-day at Chatsworth House, visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities and events throughout the year. This includes introductory talks, tours, suggested walks, children’s events and seasonal activities.
As well as this, Chatsworth House offers restaurants and café areas to enjoy a light bite or hearty meal. From a slice of cake and a cup of tea at the estate farm shop café to luxurious afternoon tea, there are multiple opportunities to enjoy refreshments during a visit to make it extra special.
Visitors can also purchase a souvenir during their visit at the on-site gift shop which sills a wide selection of beautiful and exclusive products inspired by Chatsworth.
To see the latest events at Chatsworth House and Belper, head over to our Things To Do In Belper page.