Chatsworth Reveals Landmark Year
2010 is set to be a landmark year for Chatsworth, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, with more of the house open to visitors than ever before. After years of painstaking work and restoration, funded by the Chatsworth House Trust, a new visitor route runs through the Derbyshire stately home, including a completely new gallery for displaying art and treasures from the collection, important rooms newly restored, elegant new displays celebrating the legendary Duchess Georgiana, and an exhibition celebrating the 90th birthday of Deborah Devonshire, the present Dowager Duchess.
Other innovations this year include access to the restored stone courtyard at the heart of the house, completely new guidebooks and audio tours, far fewer stairs for all visitors and a new lift giving full disabled access to all three floors of the house for the first time.
Highlights will include a spectacular display of family portraits spanning 450 years and the life and tastes of Duchess Georgiana reflected in new permanent displays of portraits, furniture and works of art she commissioned or acquired, many not seen by visitors before.
Chatsworth is also bringing out a rare selection of treasures from the vaults, including diamonds and colourful jewels, precious gold objects and other rarities to put on display in the new North gallery.
The events programme in 2010 will be full of old favourites and new ideas. Also on offer will be everything from behind the scenes tours, silver displays, sculpture installations and discovery days, to special gourmet occasions, floral workshops, car rallies and food markets.
Celebrating Deborah Devonshire: March 14 - October 31
Chatsworth is staging a special exhibition in honour of the 90th birthday of Deborah, now Dowager Duchess of Devonshire and the last surviving of the famous Mitford sisters, marking the nine eventful decades of her life and illustrating her many interests and achievements. Fascinating personal material and images, much never seen before, will offer a unique insight into the Dowager Duchess's life and work. The exhibition will also feature a selection of her couture dresses and the coronation robe worn to the Queen's coronation in 1953, made originally for Duchess Georgiana in the 18th century.
Tulip Festival & Florabundance: May 1 - May 6
New this year will be a spectacular Tulip festival in the garden, in conjunction with the flower bulb specialist De Jager, running alongside the Florabundance floral celebration in the house. There will also be a series of themed floral demonstrations and workshops in Chatsworth's 19th century theatre.
Food & Drink Festival: July 3-4
This is another chance to sample a mouthwatering selection of some of the best food and drink on offer in the region. The two day event features many artisan producers and includes food to enjoy on the day as well as to take home.
A Russian Christmas: November 1 - December 23
In 2010, Chatsworth will stage a Russian Christmas on the two lower floors of the house, celebrating the traditions and sights of a cold and sparkly northern winter, and the fabulous glamour and richness of Russian art, folk tales and traditions. Alongside these unique displays will be superb seasonal shopping and food, special twilight openings, gourmet dinners and other exciting seasonal events throughout the winter months.
For more information on these events and groups at Chatsworth, visit www.chatsworth.org
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