Trains to Chatsworth House
The English countryside is full of exquisite country homes, but Chatsworth House in Derbyshire could be one of the finest. Dating back nearly 500 years, Chatsworth House and Gardens has endless history and adventure to fill your whole day and entertain the entire family.
Getting to Chatsworth House
Located in the heart of the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, Chatsworth House is only nine miles west of the market town of Chesterfield. Chesterfield Station is served by CrossCountry trains and is easily reachable from nearby cities and towns. Routes such as Birmingham to Chesterfield, Sheffield to Chesterfield, and Leeds to Chesterfield are all less than an hour away. Wherever you are travelling from, this historic house is well worth a visit.
About Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House has belonged to the Cavendish family since 1549. It was originally built by Bess of Hardwick and completed in the 1560s. In the 17th century, the 3rd Earl of Devonshire, William Cavendish, made modifications to the property. The house was altered again in the 19th century by the 6th Duke of Devonshire, also named William Cavendish who added a new wing to house his sculpture collection. His other changes centred on improving the property for his many guests, including new accommodation and entertainment such as a billiard room. The Duke’s many renovations to the house and gardens took nearly fifty years to complete.
During its lifetime, this prestigious property has attracted a gilded clientele. Mary, Queen of Scots, was a prisoner in the house in the 1570s. Queen Victoria and the author Charles Dickens visited in the 1800s, and in 1904 Chatsworth House hosted the King and Queen of Portugal.
Today the property is owned and managed by the independent Chatsworth House Trust for the benefit of the public, so there is no reason not to visit and explore this corner of English history.
Things To Do at Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House is far more than just a house. The property includes more than 300 rooms and 105 acres of garden. Today the grounds continue to be developed, and recent additions include a maze planted in 1962. The Cottage Garden and Kitchen Garden are also newer additions, added around 1990.
Chatsworth House is the perfect place to visit for the whole family. The playground and farmyard is great for kids to explore and play and they can even feed the animals. If you want to try and spot some of the local bird species, there is a bird hide too.
Elsewhere in the gardens, you can try to solve the maze or climb the steps of the giant rockery. Younger children will enjoy the Little Explorers Garden Tail.
Chatsworth House is a very dog-friendly place to visit. Beyond the gardens is another thousand acres of parkland to explore, and there are plenty of dog-friendly places to stop and eat inside the grounds too.
But of course, the real highlight is the house itself. Come and see the paintings and sculptures that date back thousands of years. Take a guided tour or explore the visitor route at your own pace. Discover the wonderful Painted Hall or the decadent luxury of the State Drawing Room, which is literally fit for a king.
Where else can you find this much history, architecture, art, parkland and gardens in one place? There’s nowhere quite as special as Chatsworth House.
