The Queen's Reading Room Festival: Poetry Spectacular

Event Details

Saturday 20 September | 6.30pm

£195 per person

Join us for an enchanting evening of poetry and fine dining in the historic Carriage House, for the grand finale of The Queen's Reading Room Festival, staged in partnership with The Josephine Hart Foundation, and supported by Nyetimber English Sparkling Wines.

The evening will commence at 6.30 pm with a 'Poetry Appetiser': some pre-dinner laughter and illumination hosted by Gyles Brandreth, author of Dancing By the Light of the Moon and Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear.

Gyles will be joined by poet and presenter of BBC Radio 4's 'Poetry Please', Roger McGough CBE, and poet and Booker Prize winner, Sir Ben Okri. 

The drinks reception will be followed by a three-course dinner that celebrates seasonal ingredients sourced from the Chatsworth Estate and Peak District growers and small suppliers. 

Dinner will be accompanied by entertainment provided by The Josephine Hart Poetry Foundation. Further details on the entertainment will be announced later in the year. 

About the Foundation

The Foundation was established by Lord Maurice Saatchi to honour the extraordinary legacy of his wife, Josephine Hart, and to highlight the transformative power of poetry, literature and performance. The Foundation has previously been supported by a remarkable roster of talent, such as beloved actors Dame Eileen Atkins, Simon Callow, Sinead Cusack, Jeremy Irons, Lily James, and Felicity Kendal.

Menu

The evening will begin with drinks and canapés supported by Nyetimber English Sparkling Wine.

Guests will then be seated for dinner, with wines paired to each course.

Your choice of dish from each of the three courses:

First course

Garden pea and mint pannacotta with pickled radish, pancetta and a smoked Applewood crisp
Orchard pear, Stilton and watercress salad with a house dressing (V)
Pea and mint soup with vegan crème fraiche (VE)

Main course

Chatsworth estate lamb loin with Boulangere potatoes, heritage carrots, seasonal greens and a garden herb jus
Roasted beetroot risotto with Derbyshire goat's cheese and candied apple (V)
Crispy polenta with roasted red peppers and a mushroom ragu (VE)

Dessert

Raspberry financier with a berry curd, fresh berries and a ginger mascarpone sorbet (V/GF)
Passion fruit delice with a pineapple, mango and mint salsa and a passionfruit sorbet (VE)

Followed by a choice of tea and locally roasted coffee, served with Chatsworth Bakery Petit Fours.

Please note that we only use the freshest, locally sourced seasonal ingredients for our dishes, sourced from the estate and trusted independent growers and suppliers. Therefore, we may need to make minor changes to the menu at short notice depending on availability. 

Above: Gyles Brandreth, Roger McGough CBE, Sir Ben Okri

About Nyetimber

For over 35 years, Nyetimber has had a single aim: crafting exceptional English sparkling wine that rivals the very best in the world.

Nyetimber was the first producer of English sparkling wine to exclusively grow the three celebrated grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Regarded as England's finest sparkling wine, Nyetimber is made from one hundred percent estate-grown grapes.

Accessibility

The Carriage House is fully accessible. The first lane of our main car park is allocated to registered blue badge holders, please display your pass clearly on your dashboard on arrival. 

Please note that the Stables Courtyard is cobbled in some areas. There are accessible toilets available in the Carriage House. 

If you have any questions regarding accessibility or require an essential carer ticket for this event, please email [email protected]. Proof of eligibility will be required on the evening. View eligibility criteria here.

About The Carriage House

The Carriage House is within 'The Great Stables', at the top of the main car park. 

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Designed by architect James Paine for the 4th Duke of Devonshire, and built between 1758-1763, it is Grade I listed and considered by many to be one of the grandest examples of an 18th-century stable block in the country. Learn more.

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