A Chatsworth Christmas

IMG_1939Can you imagine spending Christmas in a stately home?  Chatsworth House in Derbyshire would be the one for me.  With the house beautifully themed and decorated all through December, wouldn’t it be wonderful to close the gates on Christmas Eve and have it all to yourself, just for a little while?  With a select few friends, of course.

Ideally I suppose there should be a carpet of snow, so you could hop, skip and jump your footprints into the lawns.  Which fire to drink your mug of hot chocolate by afterwards could be a big decision.  Of 126 rooms, almost 100 are never seen by the public. Think of the game of Christmas hide and seek you could play!

You could hide behind a statue?
But not this well pruned hedge!
Lots of scope in the conservatories.
But maybe not these statues?

Come on!  Let’s go inside, shall we?  The house has been the family home of the Cavendish family since 1549.  A lady called Bess of Hardwick determined to settle in her native county, with her Suffolk born husband Sir William Cavendish, Treasurer of the King’s Chamber.  The riverside house was Bess’ project, carried on even after her husband died and she remarried.

Of course the house has changed greatly since it was first built, and, in the manner of all grand mansions, has a colourful history.  Mary Queen of Scots is known to have stayed here, whilst a prisoner.  In 1608, when Bess died, the house passed to her eldest son, but was purchased from him by his brother, William Cavendish, 1st Earl of Devonshire, for a measly £10,000.

Where to look first? Christmas trees or ceiling?

Where to look? Christmas trees or up at that ceiling?
I mean, seriously- who lives in a house like this?

I mean, seriously- who lives in a house like this?

It is extraordinary!

It is quite extraordinary!

And that applies to almost everywhere you look.

Bizarre yet wonderful sculpture
Exquisite wood carving
Beautiful candelabra and light fittings
Fabulous timepieces
And heart stopping modern works

Over time the house was added to and altered.  After World War II, the upkeep proved impossible.  Debt and death duties had accrued, and in 1946 a trust was established to administer the estate.  Today the house has a separate trust, and visitors pour through the gates, especially at Christmas.  The current Duke and Duchess of Devonshire are happy to be able to maintain and share their family home in this way.

How about this for a dining room?

How about this for a dining room?

The curtain headers are lovely!
The candelabra so stylish!
And I think I know that bright-haired lady!

Opulence doesn’t even begin to describe it.

I haven't even shown you the Painted Staircase yet.

And I haven’t even shown you the Painted Staircase yet.

The White Queen was here, but she's gone now.

The White Queen was here, but she’s gone now.

Just a small clue left behind.

Just a small clue left behind.

I expect you guessed, I came here to see “Narnia”.  And now I’m waiting for Boxing Day when “Death comes to Pemberley” will be screened on TV.  It was filmed in part at Chatsworth.  Based on the novel by P.D. James, it is a fictitious continuation of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”.  Fittingly this year is the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s novel.  I find that quite amazing.

It may not be in a stately home, but wherever you spend it, I hope your Christmas is beautiful.

103 comments

  1. My goodness but this is just an amazing home. I can’t even think of it as a home, really, but it’s very special! I love the tidbit about Mary Queen of Scots being imprisoned there for a time. If ever there were an excuse to interject the word “opulence” this would indeed be it! Your Narnia adventure is just magical! And thank you for the “heads up” on the Pride and Prejudice anniversary. Time to re-read and I agree–200 years? Beautiful photos, Johanna. 🙂

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  4. Beautiful Beautiful I love the places you go and share with us. I am wishing you a Very Merry Christmas as well! I may hit the beach and share with you glorious surf 🙂

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      1. 🙂 yard is clear finally and roads safe but more snow maybe another 4″ tomorrow night I must get on the roof now and push of all that gathered there but today I rest 🙂

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    1. Shame on you, Rough! (I only just finished mine yesterday) Just crossed you off the guest list, too 🙂
      I’m not a P.D. James fan but will watch out of curiosity. (if it doesn’t clash with football- I live in a male-dominated household)

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    1. I’d never been inside, Ad, though I can remember James playing by the Cascade when we visited when he was small. The upkeep must be enormous but the family obviously take great pride in their heritage. It really is beautiful.
      Eeeh, lass! Those were the days 🙂

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  12. That is grand beyond words Jo!! A bit overwhelmingly grand for my tastes…but that could be just a case of sour grapes 🙂 A wonderful Christmas to you too 🙂

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    1. I’m never sure how much history I should include with these kind of posts, Amanda. You’re right- Chatsworth has a fascinating past. I usually include a link to Wikipedia so that anyone who’s interested can read up if they want. Thanks a lot 🙂

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  14. It’s quite a while since I visited Chatsworth …. it looks lovely with all the Christmas decorations up. Yes, I’m sure it would be wonderful to be there for a few days over the festive period …. but I wouldn’t enjoy the heating bill afterwards!!

    Lovely photos, Jo 🙂

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  15. It looks fabulous. especially the White Queen and definitely one up on Wallington Hall which is where we will be heading. Not sure I would want to stay there though – it must be haunted, I would be disappointed if it wasn’t 🙂

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  17. Jo – what a wonderful pre=christmas time you had at the magnificent Chatsworth – how we envy you! Jo, my husband, would looooove to see this plendid house with all it’s treasures. Btw, we saw the first Narnia in Singepore when it just had come out – so enchanting. We are off in a few hours for a month to ‘our’ Bangkok again. A happy and blessed Christmas to you. Carina 🙂

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      2. Blenheim I’ve done but it’s a long time ago and I don’t remember it well. My husband designs gardens so we tend to visit the garden but often not the house. Many thanks for following. 🙂

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