The Famous English Historical Estate, Chatsworth

Beautiful Home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire

Sep 23, 2009

Chatsworth, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, is one of the best loved and most beautiful country houses in all of England.

Chatsworth is situated in the county of Derbyshire’s Peak District. This National Park, England’s first, covers over 500 square miles of some of the most breathtaking scenery in all of Britain.

History of Chatsworth

Bess of Hardwick, who became the second most powerful woman in Elizabethan England after the Queen, persuaded her husband Sir William Cavendish to purchase Chatsworth manor for six hundred pounds in 1549. They began to build their new home in 1552, of which nothing remains, except the Hunting Tower that sits on the hill behind the present house. At various times between 1569 and 1584, Mary, Queen of Scots was held prisoner at Chatsworth.

Bess’s Elizabethan house was dismantled and wing by wing Chatsworth was rebuilt between 1687 and 1707. The 4th Earl of Devonshire (also the 1st Duke) commissioned the finest craftsmen and artists in Europe to decorate the interiors of the house in the latest baroque style. The grounds comprised extensive formal gardens that included the Canal and Willow Tree Fountain, and the Cascade. Unfortunately, the Duke died when the new house was only just completed.

In the 18th century, James Paine was commissioned to build a new wing to the north of the house, as well as new stables and the stone bridge which stand today. One of the greatest English landscape gardeners, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, was hired to create the magnificent park at Chatsworth, but it wasn’t until the next century under the guidance of Joseph Paxton that the garden was turned into one of the most famous in Europe.

The 19th century brought about modernization to many of the old rooms and included additions of the long North Wing with dining room, sculpture gallery, orangery, and a private theatre.

Touring Chatsworth

Over 30 rooms of the home’s 297 are open to the public, displaying a magnificent collection of furniture, paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. Some of the more famous paintings include the Adoration of the Magi by Paolo Veronese, King Uzziah by Rembrandt, and the beautiful Gainsborough, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire.

Other highlights of the house include: the Five State Rooms which are the grandest rooms of the 1st Duke's building; the magnificent Library is home to 17,000 books and manuscripts from the past six centuries; the Painted Hall with scenes from the life of Julius Caesar by Louis Laguerre (1663-1721); the Great Stairs is a room consisting of beautiful ceiling and wall paintings, sculptures and busts placed in niches above the most spectacular feature of all, the staircase itself; the stunning 17th century Chapel; and a beautiful 18th century Sculpture Gallery.

The unique thing about touring Chatsworth is that the current Duke, Peregrine Cavendish, who manages the house, allows its visitors to take photographs inside.

The Grounds of Chatsworth

The Garden at Chatsworth covers more than 105 acres and includes five miles of walks. Filled with formal hedges, rare trees, and shrubs, the garden is also home to sculptures, temples, streams and ponds. There is a kitchen, cottage, and rose gardens, as well as a gigantic rock garden.

Chatsworth is famous for its waterworks, which include the twenty four steps of a 300 year old Cascade, falling 200 yards down the hill, the trough waterfall, a water-powered sculpture, and the magic of water shooting from the branches of the willow tree fountain.

Outdoor activities include a maze, an enchanting farmyard (with animals), and a woodland playground that will entertain kids for hours.

Chatsworth in the Movies

Chatsworth has recently starred as a location for the film The Wolf Man (2009), and Pride and Prejudice (2004), as Chatsworth is believed to be the inspiration for Jane Austen’s ‘Pemberley’, the home of Mr. Darcy.

The Duchess (2008) was also filmed here, telling the fascinating story of the beautiful and glamorous Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, who lived at Chatsworth ménage à trois with her husband and best friend.

Opening Times

The house, garden and farmyard are open to the public every day from March 11 to October 31. From November 1 to December 23 all attractions are open except the state apartments which are closed for conservation. The park is open all year round at no charge.

Chatsworth is truly one of England’s greatest country houses. In fact, there are few that can match it in beauty or landscape.

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