Fitting in all the meet-ups with friends on this trip has been quite a challenge. Geography aside, people have normal lives to live and just because I swoop in for a few weeks people can’t drop everything. There are friends though that will take a day off work especially though and that makes them a very special friend indeed. To make the most of the day we decided to undulge our day tripping tendencies further and headed to Chatsworth for the day to rendevous.
Good choice as it allowed us to catch up with all the new and gossip and have the chance to see one of Britains most splendid country houses and landscape gardens. I particularly love the history of this house – one of my favourite historical figures is the Duchess of Devonshire. In fact, it’s that whole period of history I love with George III my all time fav.
The thing about Chatsworth is it is opulent yet homely. The current Duke and Duchess are making their mark by introducing contemporary art into the rooms open for view and in the grounds. We were also lucky enough to see the start of an exhibition of sculptures in the grounds which gave it a special dimension to enjoy.
I have to admit that this Beryl Cook-esk sculpture was my favourite. I’m starting to look a little like this woman after all the eating and drinking we’ve been doing to make merry with people!
But you can’t beat the landscape views at Chatsworth. You can really see now what the designers hundreds of years ago were trying to achieve. Luxurious outlooks that would give pleasure for hours just looking out of the window.
Where no expense and ingenuity was spared to create the mammoth water features that still delight to this day.
Whether you are looking up, or down. Just look to the distance and see how the pathway creates an endless view of country.
The view up the canal to the big house is just as stunning.
And every now and then you turned a corner and saw something even more splendid.
But for all the splendid sculptures and garden view, the one that touched me most was seeing a robin sitting on a bench. Bold as brass this little bird just watched us wander by.
I’m losing count of the historic houses and gardens we’ve seen this holiday. Thank goodness for my camera so that we can relive the experience in a quiet moment and reflect on the happy memories of spending time with family and friends as we wandered around.
That’s brought back some memories. When I was 16 my mother and I spent a long weekend at Chatsworh as guests of the then Duke and Duchess so that my mother could give their daughter Sophie some art tuition. They were really welcoming and it was an amazing experience. Sophie took me out for a ride around the estate and I rode her newest horse while she rode her old pony. I still have some black and white photos I took then including a good shot of a swan coming at me full pelt down the fountain pond. (I had to make a rapid retreat.)
PS How come it’s Saturday or have I been sleeping at the PC ?
Hi Ruta, it’s because the settings on the blog are set to New Zealand time! JT
Oh, I love the film ‘The Duchess’ (2008) and I’ve just enjoyed browsing the Chatsworth house website. Your photographs really sum it up beautifully and I must add that to my ‘must see’ list next time we’re in the UK. Dan’s folks don’t live too far away, but I rather fancy booking one of the holiday cottages with my folks for a week – they have a lovely selection.
I loved reading about Ruta’s experience staying as guests to the Duke and Duchess when she was 16. How wonderful!
Wow, it’s been well over a decade since I visited Chatsworth, but what wonderful memories – one of my favourite grand Houses. I seem to remember having the expectation that Mr Darcy would walk out of the lake any minute!! Makes me miss the UK… love these grand, old estates and mansions… not so many of them around NZ!
Great idea to combine meeting up with friends and doing something as lovely as that, duly noted and will be replicated when I return to the UK next year to catch up with everyone!
Ruta M’s experience is a rather special memory, how fortunate!