We will improve the quality of life and wellbeing of our local communities by:
Providing green spaces everyone can access, while endeavouring to make more space for nature;
Minimising congestion and supporting access to those green spaces by bus or bike;
Increasing our support and charitable contributions within our communities.
Every day, colleagues across our estates contribute to the wellbeing of local communities through their work, often in ways that go unnoticed.
Making space for nature
At Chatsworth, following the successful clearance of invasive Rhododendron ponticum, a new bird watching area has been created around the Ring Pond. Dead hedges act as screens and provide valuable habitat for invertebrates, birds and small mammals.
On the wider estate, our farms and forestry teams are transforming 32 hectares of grassland into a diverse wood pasture. A footpath through the site will allow visitors to enjoy the landscape while supporting the creation of a richer habitat for wildlife.
Charitable contributions
By donating money, goods, tickets, time and expertise, we support a wide range of charities and community groups.
The Duke of Devonshire’s Charitable Trust is a grant-making family charity. In 2025, grants totalling £350,000 were provided to charities local to Chatsworth, Bolton Abbey, Eastbourne and Lismore.
Including complimentary tickets and donated goods, our total charitable contributions reached £454,000 in 2025, bringing cumulative donations since 2019 to £2.6 million.
We also support charitable organisations in other ways, by hosting fundraising activities and donating prizes for raffles and fairs. Where fees are charged, they are heavily discounted, allowing more money to go to good causes. In 2025, charitable events at Lismore, Bolton Abbey and Chatsworth raised almost £750,000.
Continue reading about our 10 goals for 10 years...
Help create 1000 homes and 1000 jobs in the local area
By investing in the regeneration of areas around our estates
Double the benefit to local economies from our organisations
As measured by the value of the direct and indirect goods and services we buy
Buy at least 50% of our supplies and services locally
Within 30 miles by road of our estates
Invest £50m in our heritage properties and landscapes
Specifically in their repair, restoration, improvement and development
Enable every child in local schools to experience our estates
As part of their primary education, reaching every school through physical visits onsite or our virtual presence in schools
Achieve excellence in our visitor feedback scores
By scoring 90%+ for value for money, overall enjoyment and likelihood to recommend, in our customer feedback surveys
Be recognised as an excellent employer
Achieving scores of 80%+ for all measures of satisfaction and engagement in our staff and volunteer survey
Create 500 work opportunities for those in and just out of education
Working with local education and training providers to create these opportunities to benefit young people
Reduce our impact on the environment
Through improved management of waste and emissions
