Chatsworth House, Derbyshire. In the valley of the River Derwent this Country Estate is the Seat of the Duke of Devonshire. It has belonged to the Cavendish family since 1549. The present house dates back to the 17th. Century with alterations later.
Commentary.
This magnificent Stately Home has been voted
Britain’s favourite Country House several times.
The House and Estate originated in the 16th. Century
as a smaller Tudor mansion, on a site even nearer to the River Derwent.
During the 17th. Century the Cavendish family,
Dukes and Duchesses of Devonshire,
commenced the re-building of the house.
In the 18th. Century the famous Landscape Gardener,
Capability Brown put his talent to the vast improvements.
In the 19th. Century the 6th. Duke enhanced the building and grounds with neo-classical statues, libraries of books, exotic wallpapers, expensive furniture and valuable works of art.
Even a young Princess Victoria visited in 1832.
The house and estate became one of the finest in Britain.
Nowadays, the house and gardens attract in excess of 300,000 visitors a year.
In a prominent position on the east side of the valley of the River Derwent, the garden covers 105 acres, the Park, 1,000 acres and the agricultural estate runs to an amazing 35,000 acres.
The house has 126 rooms covering an area of over 81,000 square feet.
The Estate includes:- bridge, Hunting tower, Stable Block, vast lawns, Formal, Sensory, Kitchen and Cottage gardens,
fountains, a huge, stepped water-cascade,
maze, greenhouses and Arboretum.
Chatsworth is simply fit for any King or Queen, and quite astounding to any visitor!