The house, garden and park

Young people are particularly welcome in the house and garden, where they can see some of the extraordinary treasures and rooms that have impressed visitors for centuries. They can study and enjoy the famous waterworks and other garden features. Schools can use visits to the house and garden to cover topics in history, art, English, geography, science and technology.

The house
The home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire is remarkable not only for being one of the country's grandest treasure houses, but also as a family home that has evolved over 450 years. It continues to thrive and change today.

In the house, the 1st Duke of Devonshire's State Rooms, designed to welcome royal visitors more than 300 years ago, are among the most complete surviving examples of grand rooms made in the Stuart age, and they evoke the formality and grandeur of court life in the late 17th century. In the 19th century, the 6th Duke added the North Wing and hosted two visits by Queen Victoria, who was entertained in some of the rooms he had built, and which you see today, including the magnificent library, dining room and Sculpture Gallery. The whole house represents the wealth, power and taste of 11 generations of one family.

To make the most of your visit to the house, we recommend you book a guided tour with our education guides, who are trained to tailor their tour to the ages and interests of your group. They give a fascinating insight into some of the facts, figures and secrets of the house. Tours walk through various rooms in the house, and the guides pick out objects, features and images that help to explain the story of Chatsworth, revealing its social and architectural history and the ways in which rooms were used. The children see an astonishingly wide range of objects that span 4000 years of European culture and craftsmanship, from Ancient Greece and Egypt to contemporary British sculptures and paintings.

Tours are available in English, French, Dutch and Italian.

A time for admission to the house will be allocated to all education groups. Please note that in July, school tours in the house must begin before 11am or after 1pm to ensure groups can see the house without too much overcrowding. In November and December tours must begin at or before 10am.

Garden and park
The 105 acre garden surrounds the house. It reflects the three great eras of garden and landscape design. The maze is open every day, and young people always enjoy the famous waterworks. The 1000 acre park and Stand Wood are both open, free, throughout the day and can be used as an educational resource or just to picnic and play games.

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