Chatsworth house

The 'Palace of the Peak' is a family home which was built to be shared with visitors. You are invited to walk at your own pace through the house, absorbing the atmosphere of its beautiful rooms and the story that they tell of the family's history over the last 450 years.

Two girls discovering Chatsworth

The house contains one of Europe's finest private art collections, representing 4000 years of European culture and craftsmanship, from ancient Greece to modern work by British artists. Between March and October these treasures are seen in magnificent rooms on all three floors of the house, from the grandeur of the 1st Duke's Painted Hall and State Apartments with their rich decoration and painted ceilings, to the 19th century Library, Great Dining Room and Sculpture Gallery. Wardens in the rooms can answer your questions, and there are beautiful guidebooks and an audio guide available.

The Painted Hall

Throughout the house, there are magni?cent displays of paintings, furniture, silver, tapestries and porcelain and a gallery of neo-classical sculptures. Famous curiosities include four royal thrones, a giant ancient Greek marble foot, a lace cravat carved from wood, the fan of a Rolls Royce jet engine and the unique illusionistic painting of a violin hanging on a door.

Please note
There are more than 80 steps up or down on the visitor route through the house. Bags are searched before entering the house, and we ask you to leave large bags at the Lodge gatehouse. Due to the number of stairs, pushchairs cannot be taken round the house.