The Orangery shop at Chatsworth has been named ‘Shop of the Year’ at the prestigious Museums + Heritage Awards, in recognition of its support for local makers and independent businesses across the Peak District, Derbyshire and surrounding counties.
The accolade was announced at the 24th annual Museums + Heritage Awards, which celebrate excellence across the UK’s museums and heritage sector.
The Orangery was established in 1976 and has become a vibrant platform for local craftsmanship, showcasing the region's creative community to the hundreds of thousands who visit Chatsworth each year.
Today, the shop offers more than 2,000 products inspired by Chatsworth’s garden, collections, landscape and history - from handmade ceramics and artisan food to textiles, jewellery and stationery.
The Orangery works with more than 20 makers who live and work within a 30-mile radius of Chatsworth, ranging from small independents to established manufacturers. Local names include Wirksworth Pottery, Blue & Gold Botanics, Bel Holland Ceramics, Church Farm Craft Company, R A Smart and Peak Ales, with many products incorporating estate-grown botanicals and locally sourced ingredients and materials.
In addition to celebrating local brands, The Orangery offers a range of original Chatsworth products inspired by the estate and its community, including homeware, gifts, food and drink made with a focus on sustainability and locally sourced materials, and reflecting the character of Chatsworth and the Peak District.
Judges praised The Orangery for its commitment to local makers and innovation, describing its ethos, approach and products as “inseparable from the place itself.”
Steve Haywood, Head of Retail at Chatsworth, said: “The Orangery has always reflected our commitment to celebrating Derbyshire creativity and craft. We’re incredibly proud to support independent makers and to celebrate our connection to the region through the products we showcase. To receive national recognition for this in our 50th anniversary year is hugely rewarding for the team at Chatsworth and for our talented local partners.”
