Chatsworth House

Chatsworth House is a grand residence in Bakewell with 25 decorated rooms, including the Painted Hall and State Rooms, surrounded by about 105 acres of gardens and parkland. The rooms show different architectural styles and periods, from baroque murals to neoclassical halls with gilded ceilings and heavy chandeliers.

The current structure began in 1687, when William Cavendish replaced the original Tudor residence with a baroque mansion. Later generations added wings and garden layouts, changing its appearance across three centuries.

The Cavendish family still lives on the estate and opens their private rooms to the public, allowing visitors to walk through halls once reserved for royalty and aristocrats. The art collection continues to grow, with contemporary works displayed alongside old masters, showing how the house evolves with time.

The estate opens from March to January and offers access to the house, gardens, farmyard, and restaurants with designated parking and accessible paths. It helps to plan several hours, as the grounds are large and require walking to explore properly.

The Emperor Fountain in the Canal Pond rises about 280 feet high using only natural water pressure from a reservoir higher up on the estate. The system needs no pumps or electricity to reach that height, relying purely on gravity and slope.

Location: Bakewell

Architects: William Talman, Thomas Archer, Jeffry Wyatville, Joseph Paxton, James Paine, Bess of Hardwick

Architectural style: English Baroque, Italianate architecture

Part of: Chatsworth House Estate

Address: Bakewell DE45 1PP

Phone: +441246565300

Website: https://chatsworth.org

GPS coordinates: 53.22778,-1.61000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 19:26