Peak District Places - Chatsworth House

Chatsworth is a massive estate of some 1000 acres or so and is situated in the peak district just a few miles north of Bakewell , famous for the ever popular Bakewell tart.

Bakewell holiday accommodation is some of the best in the Peak District making it an ideal place to stay.

Chatsworth house is the magnificent focal point of the Chatsworth estate nestled against a backdrop of ancient hilly woodland (no doubt once used as ancient hunting grounds) and next to the banks of the river Derwent.

It is not hard to see why the splendid example of architecture has been nicknamed the Palace of the Peak , and the National Gallery of the North not due in part to the huge collections of Art and Treasure that has been collected over the centuries by the Devonshire family.

The fine world class collection contains many Old masters as well as a good representation of over 4000 years of European art and culture which is spread over three floors of this magnificent house

Chatsworth House gives you a glimpse at the power, money and luxury of the upper classes and gentry in old England, which is still awesome by today's standards when you consider for example that the Chatsworth estate also encompasses the villages of Beeley, Pilsley and Edensor.

For those of you that enjoy period plays and television Chatsworth house appeared in the adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and prejudice and was portrayed as the home of Mr Darcy.

Surprisingly in total contradiction to the trend of modern landowners the park is still open to the public and astonishingly is free to enter so you can stroll around the vast park imagining yourself to be one of the Lords or Ladies of the day .

A far better experience however is a visit to the house and gardens itself which will surely leave you breathless and is an experience that can last all day.

The entrance costs is very modest and includes the House and gardens and an adventure playground. I would go as far to say that if you are on holiday here and do not visit you will miss out on one of the finest examples of British history and culture.

The Gardens here at Chatsworth house are as equally impressive as the Grand House itself and are situated in 105 acres of land that has been lovingly developed and added to by successive generations for nearly 500 years.

The landscape and garden exhibits are truly magical and can be enjoyed by participating in the five miles of walks within the garden. Visitors will enjoy a stunning arboretum of rare specimen trees as well as a plethora of other plant life and foliage, streams and ponds.

The landscaping isn't restricted to flora and fauna though, and you will be stunned by the collection hard landscaping that is here and consists of sculptures, temples fountains and other water features.

Notable of course is the highest water jet in the world and the 300 year old cascade that stretches down the hillside and is a picture from the top that cannot help but remain etched in your memory for ever .