A Grand Day Out!

Looking out from the Cascade

Looking out from the Cascade

I suspect that whatever your criteria for grand might be, Chatsworth House could fulfil it.  I honeymooned in the Peak District almost 25 years ago, and the memory of its grandeur and the beauty of the surroundings remains with me. The house sits in extensive grounds, with a wooded hill rising up behind it.  I returned, with my daughter Lisa, on a day unbelievably lovely for December.

Statuary is everywhere.
But first, into the Conservatory to search out some delicate blooms.
No idea what these might be?
And could these be melons?
Then up through the Kitchen garden
The arches pleasing to the eye
And the Sensory garden, with its reflective prism,
Then into the woodlands.

I noted from Wikipedia that during World War II the house was occupied by 300 schoolgirls, for six years.  The Duke felt that they might be easier on his home than the soldiers who would otherwise be billeted there.  I’m not so sure!  In any event, they grew vegetables in the Kitchen garden to contribute to the war effort, and skated on the Canal Pond when it froze over.

Eventually you arrive at the top of the Cascade

Eventually you arrive at the top of the Cascade

Bewitched by the dancing fountains

To be bewitched by the dancing fountains

And the suitably disguised Pump house

And the suitably disguised Pump house

Onwards and upwards to the Grotto next, where you can sit in the bandstand, mistress of all you survey.  A lady visitor was obviously much pleased with her surroundings, and I tried, in my halting French, to exchange a few words.

Five relaxed and carefree minutes in the bandstand.
Lisa had a strong affinity with the Maze
While I rather liked this romantic-looking gate
But the curves of the beech hedges were my favourites
Several busts gaze at each other across a glade
And another beech hedge leads to the Rock garden.
Then it’s back to modern art at the bottom of the Cascade.

And if you’re very good, you just might try

A cream tea!

A cream tea!

I don’t feel that I’ve really done the gardens justice.  Maybe it’s because I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of the house.  The “Narnia” Christmas theme made it very special.  I’ll be writing more about the house and its occupants later this week.

In the meantime, I hope you feel you’ve had a grand day out? (yes, I quite like Wallace and Gromit too)  I’m linking this post to Cheri’s Weekly Photo Challenge. Join me there?

86 comments

  1. Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Ray Wood and Polar Bear walk | restlessjo

      1. No, I agree. Perhaps if I could afford to have a cascade like that (and could afford to pay for all the water to keep it flowing!) I would also have a group of gardeners at my beck and call!
        It is a very beautiful place and must be very expensive to maintain.

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    1. I’m quite excited to see “Death comes to Pemberley” on Boxing Day, Seonaid. It’s filmed mostly at Chatsworth. I’m not a big TV buff but I’ll make an exception. 🙂

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      1. Yes, and I was jealous that I wasn’t there hanging out with the two of you. What an absolutely fabulous idea for Christmas decorations! The ice queen and the sleeping lion were my favorites.

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  9. I would love to get lost in that maze 🙂 I can see you had a wonderful day. The pics are great, Jo 🙂 (I did not know you were such a fan of snow 😀 )

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  14. Absolutely stunning. I’m a huge Jane Austen fan and I think she modelled Pemberley in Pride & Prejudice on Chatsworth House so I’d love to go one day. Your story about the schoolgirls billeted there during the war remidned me of a story my grandfather often used to tell. During the war he was in the Royal Navy and for a while before they shipped out they were billeted in a girls school. The men all found it hysterical that in the dorms, there was a sign which read “if you require a Mistress during the night, please ring the bell”. I think those young sailors all rang the bell in hope but with no results!

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  16. I feel a bit guilty for not visiting Chatsworth when I lived in Doncaster for 18 years and worked in Sheffield for six of those, although I am sure I went there with my parents as a child. The only thing that I know about it is that there is an entire village owned by the estate! So thank you Jo for showing me around, as I doubt I shall get the opportunity to go there now.
    Jude xx

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      1. More than likely Jo. But in those days I had a garden of my own to look after, a full-time job, 4 kids and elderly parents – I didn’t do FUN things!

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