An introduction to the history
of the garden

The garden at Chatsworth has been evolving over more than 450 years, and it bears the marks of many of the most important eras in European garden design. Outstanding features have survived from each period, and together they make up one of the most fascinating and historically important gardens in the country. The present generations of the Devonshire family have continued to add to the garden, with the help of successive head gardeners and their teams. A detailed history of the garden can be found in the Dowager Duchess's book on the garden, or in the garden guidebook, both are available at our on-line shop.

The formal garden in 1699. '..in the middle of each garden is a large fountaine.. full of pipes that spout out water.' Celia Fiennes, 1697

The view above shows the garden as created for the
1st Duke of Devonshire in the late 1600s. The terraces were laid out in a series of gardens and parterres, decorated with formal planting and paths, statues, temples and fountains. Among the features to have survived from this period are the Cascade, Flora's Temple and the statue of Flora, the Canal pond and the Willow Tree fountain.

The Cascade House. Water can be made to run over the roof and out of the mouths of carved dolphins and fish

In the 18th century, the 4th Duke commissioned Lancelot 'Capability' Brown to clear much of the formal garden and create the landscaped park on both sides of the river. The resulting beauty of the park may well have been the inspiration for Jane Austen's description of Pemberley in her book 'Pride and Prejudice', published in 1813.

The rock garden was restored, and a new viewpoint constructed, in honour of Paxton's bicentenary in 2003

In the 19th century, Joseph Paxton's tenure as the
6th Duke's Head Gardener brought Chatsworth renewed fame. Paxton transformed the garden again, building more than 20 glasshouses, including the Great Conservatory which in turn inspired his work on the 1851 Crystal Palace. He and the Duke sponsored planting collecting expeditions around the world and the greenhouses at Chatsworth still grow some of the rare plants brought back at that time. He created new streams, waterfalls and the 298 foot high Emperor fountain, and constructed the vast rock garden.

The kitchen garden opened to visitors in 1994

In the 20th century, the 11th Duke and Duchess have added many new features, including the Serpentine hedge, the maze, the kitchen garden, cottage garden and the new sensory garden.

In 2003, the distinguished gardener and television presenter, Alan Titchmarsh wrote of the garden;'Chatsworth's greatest strength is that its owners have refused to let the garden rest on its Victorian laurels. It continues to grow and develop, and that is what makes it one of the best and most vibrant gardens in Britain.'