Enjoy Chatsworth for free

Every day of the year, the 1000 acre park, on the banks of the river Derwent, is open for free, for everyone to enjoy as they choose; walking, playing or picnicking.

The Park
The 1000 acre park on the banks of the river Derwent, designed by 'Capability' Brown in the 1760s, is one of the most beautiful and historic man-made landscapes in Britain. It is open free throughout the year, during daylight hours. You are welcome to walk, picnic and play in the park. Large scale outdoor events take place in the park every year. The park at Chatsworth is a farmed, food-producing landscape. The grass you walk on is a crop grazed by sheep, cattle and deer; the river provides fish and the woods game and timber. We ask you to respect this by leaving this beautiful place as you found it.

Calton Lees car park
We are all concerned about the recent dramatic increase in litter, the dumping of waste, off road parking, and occasional joy riding, in the park and particularly around the southern end of the park and Calton Lees car park. This is having a damaging effect on the park, the farm stock, staff time and most importantly on the enjoyment and convenience of many visitors and residents.

As a result, the estate is reviewing every aspect of the use and status of the car park at Calton Lees. We will be charging for the car park, within the broader context of continued free access to the park itself. We believe that charging is necessary, not just because of the ever increasing cost of upkeep and stewarding, but to improve the provision of services, and interpretation, to all visitors who use this area.

Charging is on a pay and display basis at £2 per car. Parking for visitors with an Estate Pass; Friends' Gold Card; and disabled badges will be free of charge. There will be no interruption to continued access to the village of Calton Lees for residents and their guests/delivery of services or to the Garden Centre car park which will remain free of charge.

We will closely monitor and strongly discourage any illegal parking in the park and on roadsides and hope to learn from the experience of the trial period in an effort to improve the enjoyment of our visitors to the park and Calton Lees car park.

Stand Wood
Stand Wood, behind the house, is also open all year. This historic woodland provides an impressive backdrop for the house, and contains a rich diversity of trees and wildlife. There are spectacular views out across the park and important man-made features include the Hunting Tower (not open to visitors), the lakes which supply the waterworks in the garden, the Aqueduct and the Souter stone, both part of Paxton's 19th century rock and water work in the landscape around Chatsworth. Footpaths also lead out onto the moor to the east. There is a useful and informative guide to the park and Stand Wood, with maps, available from our shops.

The Garden Centre
The Chatsworth Garden Centre is next to the car park at Calton Lees, at the southern end of the Park. The Centre is open every day from 9am until 5.30pm from March to September, and from 9am until 5pm for the rest of the year (Sundays 10.30am to 4.30pm). It is closed over Christmas and on Easter Sunday. Further information on 01629 734004.

Please note
- Dogs are welcome but must be on leads as they can endanger the sheep and other grazing animals as well as themselves. They can also devastate wildlife in the park and the woods

- Please take litter home as it can harm sheep, cattle and wildlife

- Please ensure that you close all gates after use. Only cross walls and fences where there are stiles

- Fires are forbidden under all circumstances

- The river has undercurrents and underwater obstacles which can be dangerous. No swimming allowed

- When Events are held in the park access may be restricted in some areas

- Bicycles are only allowed on the public road (B6012) through the park

- Calton Lees car park is open every day (Charge)

- Chatsworth House car park is open from mid-March to mid-December (Charge)

- Footpaths across the moor, east of Stand Wood, are open for most of the year. Daylight hours. No charge

- With the exception of one public footpath leading up to the Hunting Tower, the footpaths in Stand Wood are all permissive footpaths. The Directors of the Chatsworth House Trust reserve the right to close them occasionally