CHATSWORTH HOUSE

For centuries Chatsworth, in its splendid position on the river Derwent, has been open to the public. It is a constant joy to my wife and me that the beauty of the house, garden and park is shared with our many visitors each year.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the farmyard. To mark this we have greatly improved the facilities for visitors and built a state of the art adventure playground which we are sure will thrill children of all ages.

I like to think that a visit to Chatsworth is unique as it combines great natural beauty with an outstanding collection of works of art. I believe that there is something to interest visitors of every age.

Devonshire.

Chatsworth, one of the Treasure Houses of England, has been the home of the Cavendish family for nearly 450 years. The Elizabethan house was built in 1555 by Bess of Hardwick, was altered by her great great grandson William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Devonshire, between 1686 and 1707. The 6th Duke made extensive alterations in the 1820s.

The house contains one of the most important private art collections in the world, which includes paintings by Rembrandt, Veronese, Gainsborough and Freud, furniture by Boulle and Kent, and the finest neo-classical sculpture collections in Britain.

There are famous displays of gold and silver plate, porcelain and curiosities, and a magnificent library.

The 17 richly furnished rooms on view are decorated throughout with painted walls and ceilings, wood carvings, elaborate inlay furniture and wall hangings of tapestry and leather.

The Scots rooms, a set of 9 Regency bedrooms are usually open at a small extra charge. Please note that the House is usually quieter and less crowded after 2 p.m.

The Park was landscaped by Capability Brown, in the 18th century and extends up to 1,000 acres. There are many concessionary footpaths within the Park, including waymarked walks through Stand Wood above the House.

The Garden, covering more than 100 acres, contains many notable features: the Cascade (shown above), spectacular fountains, ponds and a canal, giant rockeries, herbacious borders, Rose garden, the Maze and 5 miles of walks among rare shrubs and forest trees. Recent additions include the Cottage and Kitchen gardens, a trough waterfall below the Grotto pond and the bronze War Horse by Dame Elisabeth Frink.

The tropical greenhouse is open for pre-booked tours only. A brass band plays on Sunday afternoons in June, July and August.

A thrilling new playground has been opened in 1998 which conforms to the highest international safety standards. Young children will enjoy the new sand and water play areas, while older children will be able to test their skill and daring on the towers, ropewalks, spiral slide and commando wire.

The farmyard on the other hand was set up 25 years ago to show the ordinary commercial farm stock and to explain how the Chatsworth land is used. To celebrate its silver jubilee the farm has been refitted to improve facilities for visitors. It is an entertaining but non-sentimental exhibition explaining the life cycles and ultimate uses of dairy cows, beef cows and calves, sheep and lambs, pigs, horses, goats and poultry.

There are trout rearing tanks where children can feed the fish. A milking demonstration with commentary at 3.30 each afternoon is of great interest to the children.

Gifts, based on designs from the House and Garden, produce, stationary, books and much more can be purchased at these shops. The Orangery shop will also be open from 11.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from November to Christmas.

The farm shop is at Stud Farm, Pilsley (about 1 1/2 miles form the House). Meat, game, dairy produce, cheese, home made sausages, bread, cakes, ice-cream and fudge may be purchased there. English wines, beers and other specialties are also sold. There is a coffee shop on the premises. Open daily. For more information telephone (01246)583392

Chatsworth House is located on the B6012 approximately half way between the villages of Rowsley and Pilsley. From Country Cottage, a convenient route would be to take the A523T towards Leek for about a mile. On meeting the B5053 crossroads, turn right in the direction of Warslow. Just after Warslow leave the B5053 on a right turn and take the B5054. Drive to the end of this road which is a the T intersection with the A515. At this intersection turn left on the A 515 the direction signposted Buxton and continue for about three miles. Soon after this take a right turn at a T junction, the B5055 which is signposted Bakewell. On reaching Bakewell it is possible to take one of two equivalent routes. The first is to turn right on the A6 in the direction of Matlock, and at the end of the village of Rowsley turn left onto the B6012. Approximately 3 miles along this road, the entrance to the Chatworth Estate is signposted on the right side. If the traffic on the A6 is heavy, a second route is to turn left in Bakewell onto the A6 in the direction Buxton, and then almost immediately right onto the A619 in the Direction of Baslow. Continue along this road until just beyond the junction with the A6020. Almost immediately, take a right turn onto the B 6012. Approximately 4 miles along this road, the entrance to the Chatsworth Estate is signposted on the left side. P>

HOUSE AND GARDEN
Open every day from the 18th March until the 1st November
Admission to the House from 11.00 am until 4.30 pm, House closes 5.30 pm
Last entry to the Scots Rooms, when open is 4.00 pm
Admission to the Garden from 11.00 am until 5.00 pm, Garden closes 6.00 pm
In June, July and August, the Garden opens at 10.30 am

FARMYARD AND ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND
Admission from 10.30 am, until 4.30 pm. The facilities close at 5.30 pm