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

  6. I have had a lovely wander… I’m hoping to visit friends in Harrogate next year, and thinking of taking myself off to some other areas as well, so Chatsworth could be part of it! Love the View from the Woodlands, and Sensory Garden with it’s prism. Thanks for the tour 🙂

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  7. Good story – I used to live in Derbyshire and Chatsworth was always one of my favourite places to visit. I liked the story of the school girls rather than the troops but seeing the damage my two granddaughters can do I, like you, wonder if this was such a good decision!

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    1. Thank you so much 🙂 I’m hovering on the brink of making the blog “award free” but it seems so churlish somehow. I do have quite a backlog though. Sorry! I will come and say hi! 🙂

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      1. You’re welcome, Jo. I understand that feeling of being on the brink of going awards-free, as they are indeed time-consuming. Recently I was overwhelmed, having received 3 in 4 days. What I did was write one big thank you post to acknowledge 4 awards at the same time, with buttons and names/links of the people who presented them to me, and let people know I’d be following up later. That seemed sufficient for the timebeing, even if not I accord with the rules. I don’t like rules, anyway.

        Whatever you do, please keep up the wonderful posts you craft, both photos and writings are excellent.

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  15. What an interesting place Chatsworh House is to visit., and your fabulous photos really captured the essence of the place. I’ll have to put it on my list of places to visit when I go to the UK next year!
    As Wallace & Gromit would say, “A Grand Day Out”!

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  16. That first picture really took my breath away. Truly a grand day and, of course, Lisa looks like a grand lady. The modern sculpture at the end of your photos is quite a contrast from its surroundings. Thanks for sharing, Jo.

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    1. The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, who live there, are quite forward thinking, Lynne, so there are a number of modern art pieces around. Some I like, others not so much, but they do try to make it interesting. The grounds are lovely but Narnia completely bowled me over 🙂

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    1. I had to do a post on the grounds, Jill. They are incredibly lovely and there are many aspects you can’t see too well from my photos, like the huge Emperor Fountain. How did I miss it! :).

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  18. yep, that’s exactly what I thought of when I saw your title: Wallace and Gromit! such fun! and such lovely photos. I now have to go back and look at them again. I saw your Narnia diary too but didn’t get a chance to look in great detail (or read it actually, just skimmed) so I will be doing that shortly. great entry for this challenge and what a fabulous place for a honeymoon! (we’re going on 23 years next March – where does the time go??)

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    1. I’m sure Wallace and Gromit must have appeared in this challenge a time or two, Tobyo, but who has time to check them all out? I start with good intentions….
      We stayed in the village of Bakewell nearby, just for a few days. So long ago! 🙂

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