Event details
Friday 10 July 2026
11.30am - 12.30pm | £20
The Burlington Room at Chatsworth Stables
To celebrate the exhibition House of Stories: Tales from the Chatsworth Library, Lady Burlington will be in conversation with author and critic Charlie Porter, as they discuss the continuing role that Chatsworth House and its surrounding landscape play in inspiring contemporary writers.
As well as discussing the exhibition and the importance of libraries, Porter will share insights into his experiences of writing and editing while at Chatsworth and in the Peak District.
About Charlie Porter
Charlie Porter is a writer from London whose most recent book is the novel Nova Scotia House. His first two non-fiction books with Penguin are What Artists Wear and Bring No Clothes: Bloomsbury and the Philosophy of Fashion.
Learn more
House of Stories: Tales from the Chatsworth Library, is our exhibition in the house until 4 October. Explore rare and unusual books and manuscripts alongside archival material, and uncover untold stories about famous authors, the Devonshire family, and the history of books and publishing.
Access to the exhibition is included with a house and garden ticket.
Ticket information
Your ticket includes free parking for one vehicle on the day of the talk.
Meeting point and time
Please make your way to The Burlington Room, off the Stables Courtyard.
Doors will open at 11.00am for a prompt start at 11.30am.
Refreshments
Tea and coffee will be available at the start of the session.
Accessibility
The Burlington Room is a step-free, accessible venue. Accessible toilet facilities are available within The Carriage House Café next door.
If you have any questions about your specific needs or require a carer ticket, please contact [email protected]
Chatsworth Supporters
Chatsworth Friends and Patrons benefit from 10% off tickets to this event. Simply enter your membership number and email address when you book online.
Not yet a member? Learn more about the benefits of membership and how you can support the Chatsworth House Trust charity.
You may also like...
Talk: In Conversation with Charlie Porter
Friday 10 July 2026 | 11.30am
Author and critic Charlie Porter joins Lady Burlington to explore Chatsworth's enduring role as an inspiration to contemporary writers.
Talk: Plant Stories from Chatsworth
Friday 17 July 2026 | 11.30am
Discover the origin stories of some of the most interesting or unusual plants at Chatsworth, and their connection to both classic and modern literature.
Talk: The Literary-Scientific World of Margaret Cavendish
Friday 24 July | 11.30am
Dr Charlotte Newcombe introduces Margaret Cavendish, one of the most prolific women writers of the 17th Century, and explores her connection to Chatsworth and the Devonshires.
Talk: Staff Stories 1850-1920
Friday 31 July | 11.30am
Learn more about the lives of staff working from the Devonshires in the 19th and early 20th century, as told by textiles and archival materials preserved in the Devonshire Collections by Chatsworth House Trust.
Includes complimentary garden entry.
Talk: Sustainable Beauty - Chatsworth's Ornamental Garden
Friday 7 August 2026 | 11.30am
Discover the careful management and natural processes adopted by the Chatsworth Garden team to build a sustainable and resilient landscape.
Includes complimentary garden entry.
Talk: Caroline Norton's Papers at Chatsworth
Friday 14 August 2026 | 11.30am
Join Fran Baker, Head of Archives and Library, to discover more about the life of author, editor and campaigner, Caroline Norton, and the key themes held in unpublished letters, preserved by Chatsworth House Trust in the Devonshire Collections.
Stay With Us
With miles of walks on the estate and in the national park, as well as centuries of heritage, art and design to explore, Chatsworth and the Peak District are a dream destination for an unforgettable escape. Find a stay with us in a hotel, inn, cottage, or shepherd’s hut here.
Photo of Charlie Porter by Sarah Lee
