Event Details
Saturday 18 July - Monday 31 August
Join us this summer and discover a range of activities across the house, garden, and farmyard. Many of the activities are included in your entry ticket.
Book online in advance for free parking, or why not make the journey part of the adventure and visit us by bus?
Until 31 August
In the house
Available every day
House of Stories: Tales from the Chatsworth Library
Across four centuries, the Devonshire family has read, collected, and championed great writing. Our 2026 exhibition in the house shares their most treasured works for the first time, alongside archival materials, such as letters and sketches, from celebrated authors including Charles Dickens, William Thackeray, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Charlotte Brontë. Learn more
House of Stories: Family Trail
Our family trail sets challenges for young explorers to complete as they move through the house. There are also spaces to sit and read a selection of books, plus family activities in the Green Satin Room (pictured below). Pick up a free trail at the house entrance.
Naturally Curious Trail
Our Naturally Curious Trail invites young explorers to spot and identify plants, animals, and wonders of the natural world throughout the house and garden. Pick up a free trail at our house or garden entrances, or you can download one here.
In the Garden
Available every day
Discover 105 acres of garden developed over 500 years.
Explore the Kitchen Gardens and count how many different types of vegetables our gardeners are growing, take turns on the secret tree swing, climb boulders in our Rock Garden, catch water sprinkles from the giant Emperor Fountain, or head to the Pinetum to play on our natural balance course.
In the Farmyard & Adventure Playground
In the farmyard you can meet our friendly animals, from pigs and horses to mischievous goats and guinea pigs, many of whom you can feed, pet or even cuddle.
In the playground, climb our tall towers for a bird's eye view, descend at speed on our racing slides, scramble across the wood tangle, zip on the zip wire, dig in the giant sand pit or use an Archimedes screw to fetch water from the stream...there are hours of adventures in store.
Daily Activities
When: Saturday 18 July - Monday 31 August
Where: Chatsworth Farmyard
Guinea pig handling | 11.00am, 2pm & 4pm
Meet the horses | 11.30am & 2.30pm
Chicken talk | 12pm
Goat milking demonstration | 2.30pm
Cow milking demonstration | 3.15pm
Oak Barn self guided crafts | 10am - 5.30pm
Oak Barn reading corner | 10am - 5.30pm
Return Tractor Trailer rides
Please check timings upon your arrival at the Farmyard
Where: Chatsworth Farmyard to Golden Gates
When: Friday 24 July - Friday 21 August
Where: Chatsworth Farmyard to Stand Wood, with water guns and targets on trees
When: Saturday 22 August - Sunday 30 August
Please note tractor trailer rides aren't running on Sunday 2 August due to an event
General crafts & colouring
When: Saturday 29 August - Thursday3 September
Where: Oak Barn in the Farmyard
Plus themed sport and craft activities.. See dates below for details.
Last entry to the farmyard and adventure playground is 4.30pm.
Nature Week: Monday 17 - Sunday 23 August
Amazing Insects
When: Monday 17 - Friday 21 August | 11am - 3pm
Where: Family Activity Tent in the Chatsworth Garden
Free with all tickets that include the garden.
Discover the tiny creatures that make a big impact. Investigate bugs and learn about fascinating invertebrates through creative activities and garden walks.
Check exact timings on the day at the garden entrances and the family activity tent.
Poetry with Attie Lime
When: Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 August | 11am - 3pm
Where: Family Activity Tent in the Chatsworth Garden
Free with all tickets that include the garden.
Join Attie for some poetry fun! She will be sharing her love of words and helping children to unlock their wonderful imaginations.
Attie Lime is the author of two poetry collections for children, Blue Jelly and Strawberries (BookTrust Great Books Guide 2025-26) and A Welly Full of Christmas (Books for Topics 2025 Christmas Gift Guide). Her third collection, Poems on Toast, will be published in September.
She will share poems from her books in a lively performance for all the family, followed by a craft activity. Bring your joining-in voices!
Suitable for all ages.
Also...
Balance Play in the Pinetum
When: Every day | 10am - 5.30pm
Where: Pinetum in the Chatsworth Garden View Map.
Free with all tickets that include the garden.
Self guided. Note that last entry to garden is 4.30pm.
Crafts & Colouring
Amazing Insects & Incredible Invertebrates crafts & colouring
When: Every day | 10am - 5.30pm
Where: The Oak Barn in the Farmyard
Free with all tickets that include the farmyard.
Self guided. Note: last entry to the farmyard is at 4.30pm.
Young Farmers
When: Monday 17 & Friday 21 August | 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Where: Chatsworth Farmyard
Separate event ticket required. View event.
From collecting eggs to cuddling guinea pigs, help our farmyard team with jobs around the farmyard. Suitable for children ages 7 - 16 years.
Event ticket includes parking, and access to the Farmyard and Playground.
Wonderful Water Week: Saturday 22 - Friday 28 August
Wonderful Water BSL Activities
When: Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 August | 11am - 3pm (drop in)
Where: The Old Potting Shed, Chatsworth Garden
Free with all tickets that include the garden.
Join us for a creative family session as part of our Celebrating the Cascade Project. This drop-in activity is led in British Sign Language (BSL) and welcomes both Deaf and hearing families; no prior BSL experience is needed. Get creative with paints, crayons, and mixed materials and pick up some fun, water-themed signs along the way.
Wonderful Water Arts and Crafts
When: Monday 24 - 28 August | 11am - 3pm
Where: Family Activity Tent, Chatsworth Garden
Free with all tickets that include the garden.
Experiment with light, water, and natural materials to create beautiful prints and crafts inspired by the Chatsworth Cascade.
Please check the exact timings on the day at the garden entrances and at the family tent. Suitable for families with children of all ages.
Also...
Balance Play in the Pinetum
When: Every day | 10am - 5.30pm
Where: Pinetum in the Chatsworth Garden View Map.
Free with all tickets that include the garden.
Self guided. Note that last entry to garden is 4.30pm.
Wonderful Water Week crafts & colouring
When: Every day | 10am - 5.30pm
Where: The Oak Barn in the Farmyard
Free with all tickets that include the farmyard.
Self guided. Note: last entry to the farmyard is at 4.30pm.
Garden Entertainment
Experience a range of musical entertainment while exploring the garden this summer.
View the full list of performers here.
Stay with us
Whether bug hunting in Stand Wood, cycling on the Tissington Trail, or hitching a ride on a historic steam engine, Chatsworth and the Peak District are a dream destination for an unforgettable family escape. Find a stay with us in a cottage, shepherd’s hut, inn or hotel.
Please note: Please be aware that for technical, operational or safety reasons, some facilities may be removed or closed, or entertainment and event timetables cancelled and/or altered at any time, including at short notice. Chatsworth reserves the right to change the programme of attractions and entertainment if, at any time, it is deemed necessary or appropriate to do so, this may also include closing attractions or areas of the estate. We apologise in advance for any disappointment caused should this need arise.
Photo credit: Cascade House by Peter Landers
