Latest Chatsworth House, Gardens & Farmyard News

After a 10-year, £32.7million project, Chatsworth House and Garden will be restored to full glory in 2018! The project is due for completion this March, after having a huge clean over winter. It is one of the largest renovation projects to the house since 1828, and the restored house will reveal all the work that has taken place over the years. Showcasing everyone who has put in the work, to make sure the house is preserved for many years to come.

One of the most ambitious exhibitions to ever be presented by Chatsworth, House Style is coming to a close on October 22nd. This weekend will be your last chance to see the exclusive exhibition. Winning plaudits from fashionistas, designers and style aficionados from around the world, the exhibition has been visited by hundreds of thousands across the UK, since it opened in March 2017.

With the May bank holiday set for glorious weather, visitors can also marvel at the impressive site of water tumbling over the roof of the Cascade House before it flows over the stone steps designed to mimic the sound of music.Other spectacular water features on display are the Ring Pond and Willow Tree Fountain (image right). A survivor from the 17th century garden, the Ring Pond’s original columns originally stood in the garden at Chiswick House in west London but moved to Chatsworth in 1893. The Willow Tree Fountain was designed as a practical joke when it was first ‘planted’ in its own little dell back in the 17th century. The artificial tree of brass often catches out the unwary with its sprays of water.Free drop-in tours of the water features will take place five times a day. Starting from the bottom of the Cascade, tours will focus on the waterworks with a short five minute talk before each feature is turned on. Chatsworth’s Paul Hayes said: “With glorious sunshine predicted for the bank holiday, we’re confident visitors will be in awe of the spectacular water features here at Chatsworth. It’s a rare opportunity to witness the full potential of our waterworks and a chance to cool off in the spray of the impressive Emperor Fountain as it shoots 200 feet into the air, more than double its usual playing height of 75 feet!” Hands-on activities will also be on offer over the weekend (27-28 May) in the Stickyard. Visitors are invited to join the education team and volunteers from Moors for the Future and discover more about moorlands and the plants and animals that live on the moors above Chatsworth.

Germany’s Bettina Hoy, a regular visitor to the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials, had another successful weekend with first and second places and Britain’s Gemma Tattersall rode into the record books as the first female winner of an Event Rider Masters (ERM) competition.

The award winning School of Artisan Food has designed an exciting programme for the Artisan Kitchen Theatre supported by Villa Maria at the first RHS Chatsworth Flower Show. A feast of interests will be served throughout the five days from cooking with seasonal produce; keeping hens at home and plant pot bread making to wild food and foraging; cheese-making at home and cooking on a budget.

With the course upgraded by the former top event and Olympic rider Ian Stark to deliver a fresh and exciting experience for both equestrians and spectators, there will be the chance to see awe-inspiring action at close quarters. Alongside the top quality equestrian action drawing in an international field featuring elite British riders, organisers have lined up even more family friendly attractions to ensure a great day out for everyone.

House Style: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth sees the grand rooms of the house dressed with couture designer dresses; tiaras and headdresses; christening and wedding gowns; coronation robes and 19th century fancy dress; livery and uniforms along with a wealth of ephemera. The effect is to reveal the cast of characters that have graced the rooms of Chatsworth, from 18th century fashion innovator Duchess Georgiana and Duchess Deborah, one of the famous Mitford sisters, through to Adele Astaire, sister and dance partner of Fred, Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, sister of JFK and former model Stella Tennant.

Friday 2, Saturday 3, Sunday 4 September 2016 

2-4 September 2016

13-15 May 2016

6 - 21 February 2016

A series of talks at Chatsworth, this winter, will give a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of the great estate - from a dash through the history of the Devonshire family and the account of life in the estate villages by the recently retired head housekeeper of 40 years, to the newly revealed stories of the famous Mortlake Tapestries returning this season after two years of restoration.

7 Nov 2015 to 3 Jan 2016

This year, the special entertainment at the Chatsworth Fire Garden ahead of the firework Grand Finale is made up of: explosive fire dancing; a glowing landscape of fiery sculptures; a stunning show by virtuoso circus artists and energetic street theatre performers.

This September, Chatsworth Country Fair (from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th) will be giving you the chance to watch two of the most famous chefs in Britain today demonstrate their favourite dishes, just one of the mouth-watering treats in store.

Magical illuminations will reveal Chatsworth in a different light for this year's Luminaire, inspired by famous drawings of Oberon, the Fairy Prince. Illuminated garden trails, atmospheric lighting and hundreds of candles combine for this special four night event taking place in the house and garden.

Illuminated inside and out with subdued lighting and hundreds of candles Chatsworth will open for four special evenings this October, inspired by a selection of Inigo Jones drawings not seen in public for more than 40 years.

Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, the two planes are part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and will be making an appearance on Saturday and Sunday at the three day event which opens on Friday 29 August.

Loyd Grossman OBE presented Chatsworth with the award for ‘Best Picnic Spot’ following a public vote in the 2014 Hudson’s Heritage Awards, the independent national awards scheme open to historic houses, gardens, museums and heritage sites.

Calling all cowboys and cowgirls. Chatsworth is staging a Wild West week at its farmyard and adventure playground this February half term. Blast the cowboy targets from the trailer ride, dare to handle the spiders and snakes and take a shot in Tin Can Alley in this action filled week. 

In a groundbreaking fusion of art and architecture, portrayals of the DNA of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and their heirs are to become part of the fabric of the building at their ancestral family home, Chatsworth.

A new exhibition by the young British artist Emma McGuire inspired by her time immersed within New York's cage-fighter subculture, will open at Chatsworth on 11 July and run through until 8 November 2013.