Secrets, surprises and stories at Chatsworth this winter
In a new series of winter talks, the current Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and others from the great Chatsworth Estate are set to reveal some of the secrets of its success.
Sixteen generations of the Cavendish family have built Chatsworth into the thriving, modern estate it is today. Viewers of the recent Channel 4 programme ‘Christmas at Chatsworth House’ will have seen some of the vital work done behind the scenes by the housekeeping, collections and garden teams who conserve the past and safeguard for the future.
In its long and celebrated history, Chatsworth has played host to an extraordinary cast of characters from Mary Queen of Scots to Elizabeth II, John F Kennedy to the Mitford sisters, and Charles Dickens to Evelyn Waugh but these talks also look at the unsung heroes who, for centuries, have kept the great estate running in good order.
All talks are taking place in the Hartington room. While the house, garden and farmyard are closed for the winter (reopening on 21 March 2020) the stables shop and restaurant are open daily from 10.30am to 4.00pm, while the farmyard and playground are also open during half-term, 15-23 February 2020. Free parking is available at Chatsworth during this time and at the nearby Calton Lees car park.
Secrets & surprises: Behind the scenes tours: Selected dates from 20 January 2020–12 March 2020
Explore behind the scenes this winter while the house is normally closed to visitors as it undergoes its annual ‘deep clean’. These guided tours are exclusively available to guests booking a ‘Secrets and Surprises’ accommodation package.
A year in the life of a Chatsworth seamstress: 21 January and 27 February
What does a seamstress at Chatsworth do all day? With miles of fabric to care for, Marie, an expert seamstress on the textiles team, will take you through a ‘typical’ year, highlighting some of the projects she has been involved with over the last five years, from conservation to Christmas, and much more.
Life Stories: An exhibition preview: 7 February 2020
This year’s main exhibition is ‘Life Stories’, which brings to life real people associated with Chatsworth through portraits and objects from the Devonshire Collections.
Connecting with nature: 21 February 2020
What does it mean to connect with nature? Explore the relationships between art and the natural world and why Chatsworth is the ideal setting to do so.
Joseph Paxton at Chatsworth: 28 February 2020
An illustrated talk by Steve Porter, Chatsworth’s Head of Gardens and Landscape, will explore the fascinating history of Joseph Paxton at Chatsworth and the mark he made on the garden including the Great Conservatory.
Garden development: past, present and future: 6 March 2020
Steve Porter, Head of Gardens and Landscape, will give an illustrated talk about its history and present developments, from RHS Chelsea in 2015 to Arcadia in 2019/20 and everything in-between.
Contemporary Chatsworth: 13 March 2020
The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire reflect on the contributions to the Devonshire Collections, house and garden from 16 generations of the Cavendish family.
Dressed to impress: 2 April 2020 and 23 June 2020
Join Marie, an expert seamstress from the textiles team, for an insight into how the Devonshires and their servants were ‘dressed to impress’.
