Chatsworth House, Bakewell (Derbyshire)

Summary 16th century buildings No smoking Art and sculpture Guided tours Gift shop Information provided Gardens Children's play area Audio guide Public car parking for a charge (nearby)

Food and Drinks Restaurant Tea Room Picnic area

Introduction

Chatsworth House is a large country house in Chatsworth, Derbyshire, 3½ miles northeast of Bakewell.  It is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, and has been home to his family, the Cavendish family, since Bess of Hardwick settled at Chatsworth in 1549. Standing on the east bank of the River Derwent, Chatsworth looks across to the low hills that divide the Derwent and Wye valleys. The house is set in expansive parkland, and backed by wooded, rocky hills rising to heather moorland and contains a unique collection of priceless paintings, furniture, Old Master drawings, neoclassical sculptures, books and other artifacts. Chatsworth has been selected as the United Kingdom's favourite country house several times.

History to the present day

Building of Chatsworth house was begun in 1552 by Bess of Hardwick and her second husband Sir William Cavendish. Their second son, William, was created Earl of Devonshire in 1618. The 4th Earl who was created 1st Duke of Devonshire in 1694 after assisting William of Orange to claim the British throne, began to make improvements at Chatsworth. Eventually he completely remodelled the house and added formal gardens and the famous cascade. Most of the work was completed before he died in 1707. Chatsworth park was landscaped by Capability Brown who reshaped the formal garden into the more natural one you see today. The 6th Duke engaged Joseph Paxton as the head gardener, resulting in the enrichment of the gardens and the creation of the Emperor Fountain as well as the now demolished Great Conservatory. The house and gardens have remained little changed since the 6th Dukes time.

The stunning chapel at Chatsworth House was built between 1688 and 1693 by the 1st Duke, and has remained unaltered ever since. Laguerre and Ricard painted the walls and ceilings with scenes from the life of Christ and Verrio painted the picture of Doubting Thomas over the altar.

The Great Staircase sweeps down to the marble floor that was laid by the 6th Duke in 1834.The Scots Rooms make up the section of the house which were used to keep Mary Queen of Scots, who was placed in the custody of the 6th Earl of Shrewsbery, Bess of Hardwicks 4th husband by Queen Elizabeth I.

Food and Drinks

The Cavendish rooms offers a varied menu including brunch and afternoon tea, and the family-friendly Carriage House restaurant provides delicious home-cooked meals. 

Grounds and gardens

The 1000 acre Park on the banks of the River Derwent is open, free, throughout the year. Farmyard and adventure playground are chargeable. 

Other facilities

Special Events run through out the year such as Floral Demonstrations, Farm Days, Craft Fairs, Seasonal Fairs and textile workshops.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: , Derbyshire, , United Kingdom

Address: Chatsworth House, Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PP.

Opening Times: House opening times 11.00am-5.30pm (4.30pm last admission).

Garden opening times: 11.00am-6.00pm (5.00pm last admission).

Farmyard and adventure playground opening times: 10.30am-5.30pm (4.30pm last admission).

Directions: Chatsworth is 8 miles north of Matlock off the B6012. From the M1 Junction 29, signposted via Chesterfield (follow brown signs), from the M6 Junction 

Train: Chesterfield, approximately 2hrs 15mins from London St Pancras.  

Bus: 214/215 bus that passes through Baslow from Sheffield.