More Chatsworth

After the House Tour we walked up to the converted stable complex to have another High Tea in their beautiful, upmarket cafe. Beautiful china, food and a glass of pink champagne to top it off! The staff were educated about the various teas and we could choose a different tea with different food. It was a lovely warm Friday and there were a good number of people enjoying Chatsworth without there being crowds or queues.

There is so much to say about Chatsworth that this blog will not be able to do it justice. So glad I had the opportunity to see it.

A bit of history:

Chatsworth was purchased by the Cavendish family in 1549. Sir William Cavendish was a commissioner of Henry VIII (and indeed looks a little like him in his portrait). The following generations all added in some way - be it garden improvements and installations, purchase of art works, building additions and improvements etc. Henry Cavendish (1731-1810) accumulated a collection of some 12,000 books on science and other subjects. He was an eccentric scientist who determined the composition of water, recognised hydrogen as an element, and was the first man to ‘weigh the world’.

Over the years death duties have affected the estate as they probably have for most family estates in the UK. The Eleventh Duke of Devonshire and his wife, Deborah, worked tirelessly to ensure the survival of Chatsworth and established the successful visitor attraction we experience today. It is now run under a registered charity which is overseen by the 12th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire with assistance from their son and his wife, Lord and Lady Burlington.Read more