Event Details
Saturday 20 September | 6.30pm
£195 per person
Dress code: summer smart
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.
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 supported by Nyetimber English sparkling wine.
To follow will be 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 poetry recitals performed by acclaimed British actors, Dominic West and Anne Marie Duff (below).
Menu
The evening will begin with drinks and canapés supported by Nyetimber English sparkling wine.
Guests will then be seated for dinner, with wines from Fortnum & Mason 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)
Served with Nyetimber Cuvee Chérie Multi-Vintage
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 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.
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.
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.
Discover more...
The Queen's Reading Room Festival 2026
19 & 20 September 2026
A literary festival like no other, uniting literature enthusiasts for a weekend dedicated to celebrating the written word.
Lee Child and Special Guests
19 September 2026
From Reacher to Rehabilitation: Writing, Reading and Second Chances
Bestselling author Lee Child is joined by special guests to discuss the transformational power of literature and storytelling.
The Queen's Reading Room Festival Afternoon Teas
19 & 20 September 2026
Add an elegant afternoon tea in the Old Duke's Glasshouse in the Chatsworth Garden to your Festival experience.
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.
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.
