Chatsworth House is one of the Peak District’s most famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Chatsworth House makes a perfect day out for all of the family and has a range of different features. These include a historical house with an impressive art collection, a large garden, a working farmyard exhibit, a shop, and café. There are also holiday cottages in the area close to Chatsworth house.
The house itself is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, having been passed down through the generations by the Cavendish family. The property includes 30 rooms which are available for the general public to explore, including the painted hall, sketch galleries, and the sculpture gallery. The property also boasts one of Europe’s most important art collections which has grown over centuries and includes artifacts from ancient Egypt. Events are also held in the house throughout the year and include the annual Florabundance festival and Christmas at Chatsworth.
The gardens of Chatsworth House are also very popular with visitors and cover an area which is around 105 acres in size. Waterworks within the gardens include the Cascade water feature which is 300 years old and the impressive gravity fed emperor fountain. The maze is also an impressive landscape gardening feat, as are the rare trees and shrubberies. Visitors to the gardens are encouraged to explore, and there are more than five miles of walks and trails available.
One of the best ways for children to learn about land usage and farming is Chatsworth houses farmyard. The farmyard was opened in 1973, and has since been educating children about the sources of food, and how land is managed. Children can gain an awful lot by watching the animal demonstrations which include the hatching of chicks and milking of cows. Smaller animals can also be handled by children.
The farm shop at Chatsworth House sells a range of locally sourced foods from both the Chatsworth farm estate as well as smaller producers. Food available from the farm shop ranges from locally sourced beef, pork, poultry, and game to a range of different cooked meats and pies from the delicatessen. There is also a choice between four different cafes and restaurants which include the carriage house restaurant, the Cavendish Rooms, and the farm shop restaurant. A range of different food and drink is available from cream teas to full meals. The farm shop restaurant provides visitors with fantastic views of the surrounding Dales.
Find out out other places to visit here.