INSIDE CHATSWORTH - BRITAIN’S FAVOURITE COUNTRY HOUSE
Over this past weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting Chatsworth, a resplendent stately home nestled in the heart of Derbyshire. For centuries, it has served as the cherished seat of the Dukes of Devonshire, a lineage tracing back to the year 1549. Seizing the opportunity whilst staying at my parents new cottage in Shropshire, I embarked on a pilgramage to Chatsworth. Living in Edinburgh since 2019, my encounters with my beloved English country houses have become a rarity, making this return all the more enchanting.
Although the weather was not in my favour and it rained the entire weekend, I embraced being able to enjoy the house fully, indulging in the vast collection of art, antiques, and furnishings - it really was the top-up my inspiration bank needed. Today I thought I would share some of the moments at Chatsworth, as captured by the lens of my camera.
The North facade of Chatsworth - and the entrance to the visitor route
The North Sub-Corridor has the most incredible stone floor. Around the walls are sets of mahogany chairs and benches, designed as hall furniture by William Kent (1685-1748). The ‘stone’ bracket in the picture above is actually carved wood.
Next along the visitor route is the painted hall - a ginormous room dominated by this imposing stone staircase. It was impossible to get a photograph without other visitors in the shot, but I quite like this angle.
The Chapel Corridor is directly opposite the North-Sub corridor, and as the name suggests, leads to the chapel. What struck me most about Chatsworth is just how well preserved it is. Everything is in such wonderful condition, you can tell the house is so loved and cared for.
A portrait of Pope Clement IX by Carlo Maratta in the Chapel Corridor
The Great Stairs rise from the first to the second floor, and is one of the earliest examples of a cantilevered staircase in England, when it was completed in 1691. It leads to the suite of state rooms which run in an enfilade on the south side of the house.
My favourite thing to see in the state rooms is this trompe l’oeil violin which was painted on the door by Jan Van Der Vaardt in 1723
The South Sketch Gallery is home to a display of artworks collected by the 5th Duke and Duchess from the late 18th Century. The Duchess Georgiana, is perhaps most well known for her tragic life and being a relative of the late Princess Diana. Georgiana was a celebrated member of society in her life, and was played by Keira Knightley in the movie, The Duchess.
IN 2009 the Chatsworth textiles team made all the curtain and pelmets; In all there is over one kilometre of hand sewing
The magnificent Library which has some 17,000 books in its collection
In the ante library this breathtaking work of art, and one of Chatsworth’s most well known - the Veiled Vestal Virgin by Raffaelle Monti. It Is quite incredible how the veil is almost translucent, despite being carved from stone
The dining room was used by the family whenever there were more than six people for dinner until the outbreak of World War II. Today it is used for exclusive formal dinners each year for up to forty people. The first dinner to have been held here was for the Princess Victoria (Later Queen) and her mother the Duchess of Kent in 1832. It was the first time that the young princess had dined formally in adult company.
The sculpture gallery was created by the sixth duke to house his vast collection. An entire wing was added to the north facade to accommodate the collection.
All photos by Nicolas Fairford