Chatsworth: One of Britain's grandest houses

Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

This evening, I am focusing on Chatsworth, one of Britain’s grandest houses.

Summary facts and information:-

Founded in the 16th century by Bess of Hardwick and her second husband, Sir William Cavendish.Chatsworth has remained in the Cavendish/Duke of Devonshire family ever since with current stewardship resting with the 12th Duke of Devonshire, Peregrine Cavendish.
Surrounded by 400 hectares of working landscape much of which was the creation of Capability Brown ( 1716-83).
Extensively rebuilt 1687-1707 by the 1st Duke of Devonshire (1673-1729).
The house is home to the extensive Cavendish Collection which includes paintings, portraits,sculpture, furniture, precious metals, ceramics, books, minerals and textiles.
Principal interior rooms include the Painted Hall, Chapel, State Apartment, Great Chamber, State Drawing Room,State Music Room,State Bedroom, Great Dining Room, Galleries and Bedrooms. All the foregoing being richly decorated.
The gardens are famous for water features which include ponds, an aqueduct, cascade, fountains and lakes. There are also non-aquatic features which include the Kitchen Garden, Greenhouse, Rockery, Maze and Pinetum. The garden area is managed by a team of 18 gardeners.
The land around Chatsworth is farmed on a commercial basis. There over 100 tenancies focused on beef, sheep and arable. There is also a herd of deer and a micro brewery.
Located about forty miles S.E. of Manchester and five miles east of Bakewell.
Name origin: Known as Chetesworde in 1086. Translates from Old English as 'Enclosed settlement of a man called Ceatt.'

Overall, Chatsworth is a quality visitor site with ability to cater for a wide range of interests and activities.