The Hunting Tower
The Hunting Tower stands on the escarpment 400 feet above Chatsworth House, on the edge of Stand Wood. There are panoramic views over Capability Brown's magnificent Park. This unique and fascinating building was completed c.1582 for Bess of Hardwick, ancestress of the Dukes of Devonshire, to designs by the famous Elizabethan architect Robert Smythson.
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'Superb - had everything we wanted and more. Incredibly well equipped ' |
The 16th century Hunting Tower may have been a banqueting house or summerhouse and, as its name implies, it was also used by the ladies to watch the hounds working when hunting in the park below. In modern times it was lived in by members of Estate staff and most recently by the Duke's nephew.
After extensive repairs to the fabric of the building, completed in 2003, it was decided to let the Hunting Tower as a holiday house, giving visitors to Chatsworth an opportunity to stay in this wonderful place.
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'We feel very privileged ' |
Central heating has been installed throughout. There is one large room on each of four floors. The only staircase in the Tower is a steep, stone, narrow, spiral staircase with 82 steps. You arrive at the Tower by a broad flight of stone steps up to the ground floor kitchen/dining room with its polished wooden floor. The well equipped kitchen includes a dishwasher and washing machine. The light and spacious sitting room with far reaching views over the park is on the first floor.
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' We had an absolutely wonderful time, it was magical. Chatsworth is a very special place ' |
The upper bedroom has a four poster double bed designed by Lord Snowdon and en-suite facilities with bath. The lower bedroom has twin beds and en-suite shower room. The roof is also worth the climb to sit out and enjoy the amazing views. Unsupervised children MUST not be allowed onto the roof of the Hunting Tower.
The Hunting Tower itself therefore sleeps 4 people and there is accommodation for an additional 2 people in the stone outbuilding adjacent to the Tower which has twin beds and a shower room.
Included in the price are electricity, central heating and bed linen with duvets and towels. You can park behind the Tower, but visitors should be aware that all the land surrounding it is open to the public. Good dogs are welcome and there are some excellent walks on the doorstep within Stand Wood and around the lakes which supply the fountains and Cascade in the garden at Chatsworth.
One free ticket per person is provided for entry to Chatsworth House and Garden during the period of your stay when open. There is no charge for admission to Chatsworth Park or the Stableyard, where there are restaurants and shops. All are open seven days a week (daytime only) during the open season.
The income from letting the Hunting Tower goes to the Chatsworth House Trust, a registered charity number 511149, dedicated to the long-term preservation of Chatsworth.
Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PP | Tel: +44 (0) 1246 565300 | Email | Contact