Starting on Monday 29 March, when the ‘stay at home’ rule ends, the garden will be open to visitors, with the farmyard and adventure playground to follow on 13 April and the house on 18 May (press call 14 May tbc). Tickets are now on sale and must be booked in advance. Each area of Chatsworth will reopen in line with government guidance on social distancing, household mixing and travel restrictions applicable at the time.
The Duke of Devonshire: “After many months with the house closed and largely empty, the Duchess and I are absolutely thrilled at the prospect of being able to reopen Chatsworth and welcome back all our visitors.
“This last year has been an incredibly difficult time for many people, but it is wonderful to be planning for the lifting of restrictions, and we look forward to seeing people enjoying a visit to the Peak District. I’m particularly excited that we have a pair of medieval masterpieces to reveal to our visitors when the house reopens in May. We have added many thousands of new plants and lots of trees in the garden during the past 12 months, and it now looks as good as I can ever remember.”
Huge new plantings, landscaping and sculpture installations have formed part of the biggest transformation project in the garden for nearly 200 years. Since lockdown began in 2020 work has continued on a 25-acre redevelopment area that includes a remodelled Rock Garden, the Maze borders, the Ravine, the Trout Stream and the Jack Pond.
Following the garden, from 13 April the family friendly farmyard and children’s adventure playground will reopen, as well as the estate’s gift shops and outdoor catering.
Finally, the house will reopen to the public on 18 May, welcoming visitors to its splendid state rooms, a new exhibition called ‘Life Stories’, and two stunning medieval artworks on display in the Sculpture Gallery throughout 2021.
Indoor restaurants will also reopen on 18 May while most other restrictions will be lifted from 21 June.
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For more information, visit www.chatsworth.org
Notes to Editors
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Chatsworth
Chatsworth is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and is located in the Peak District National Park. The house, many of its contents and much of the surrounding landscape are leased to a registered charity, the Chatsworth House Trust. The Duke and Duchess pay rent to the charity to live at Chatsworth and work with the charity and others to welcome Chatsworth’s visitors.
Every penny of visitor admission goes directly to the Chatsworth House Trust, which is dedicated to the long-term preservation of Chatsworth House, the collections, garden, woodlands and park for the long-term benefit of the public. The charity promotes the study and appreciation of Chatsworth as a place of historic, architectural and artistic interest and of natural beauty, and encourages the use and enjoyment of Chatsworth by visitors for education and recreation.
Chatsworth won Gold in the Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Awards 2020, designed to recognise excellence and outstanding achievement in the area's valuable tourism sector, which is worth over £2.3 billion.
Chatsworth is a member of the Treasure Houses of England, 10 of the most magnificent palaces, stately homes and castles in England. www.treasurehouses.co.uk
Chatsworth is part of the Devonshire Group, which comprises the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire’s interests, charities and businesses throughout the UK, including Chatsworth which sits within the Derbyshire Estate, Bolton Abbey Estate in Yorkshire, and Lismore Estate in Ireland.
Chatsworth is only 10 miles from Chesterfield train station, 14 miles from Sheffield train station, 16 miles from the M1, and it is well served by regional bus services.
Follow Chatsworth on social media:
Facebook: @ChatsworthHouse
Instagram: @ChatsworthOfficial and @ChatsworthGarden
Twitter: @ChatsworthHouse
For Chatsworth press enquiries, please contact:
Steve Houghton, [email protected], 07917 671516
Redbrick Communications, 68 St James’s Street, Nottingham, NG1 6FJ
T: 0115 910 1500
