Visit Chatsworth for a fun family day out, marvel at the huge painted ceilings in the house, roam the winding paths in the garden, make friends with the farmyard animals, and let off steam in the adventure playground.
You may also be interested in our calendar or family-focused events and experiences, offering opportunities to connect to nature and wildlife.
Adventure in the farmyard and playground
Allow 2-3 hours to explore the farmyard and playground. More about the farmyard.
Explore the farmyard
Discover our working farmyard, plus a woodland playground with a rope park, zip line, and water and sand play.
Make new friends
Meet all of our farmyard animals - who's your favourite?
Daily activities
From animal feeding to milking demonstrations, there's lots of fun to be had at the farmyard.
Playground adventures
From the farmyard, take the secret tunnel to the children's playground for exciting adventures on the swings, zip wire and climbing walls. There's also an Archimedes screw to fetch water from the stream, and a huge sand play area.
Get closer to nature
Our bird hide is a great place to learn more about local bird species and see them in nature.
Admire the magnificent house
Allow 1-1.5 hours for the house. More about the house
Don't forget to look up
Keep your eyes peeled throughout the house because there are nine rooms with paintings on the ceilings. Make sure you ask a Guide to tell you about Mrs Hackett, the 1st Duke's housekeeper, while you're in the Great Chamber. She features on the painted ceiling.
Put your best foot forward
The 6th Duke bought the one metre ancient Greek marble foot that you can find in the Chapel corridor. It's thought to have been originally part of an 11 metre tall seated statue and is said to be a UK shoe size 101!
Can you hear the ROAR?
Keep an eye out for two lions at the end of the Sculpture gallery, but don't worry, they're friendly. There are a few other animals in the gallery as well. Can you find them?
Explore the great outdoors
Allow 1.5+ hours to explore the garden. More about the garden.
Prehistoric explorers
Some of nature’s most amazing designs have existed for millions of years. Use your senses to go on a plant hunting adventure in the garden and Stand Wood.
Adventure in the park and woodland
Go bug hunting and den buildings in Stand Wood and see if you can find the great viaduct or run wild in our free-to-access 1000-acre park.
Climbing and racing
Climb the steps in the giant rockery for an amazing view and discover the depths of the garden.
Get drawing
Have a go at some of our fun drawing activities while you explore the garden - perfect for all ages and abilities.
Fascinating discoveries
Use our children’s trail to find the human sundial, the balancing rock and the Emperor fountain. How high do you think it is?
Special children's events and themed clubs
Mini makers art club (ages 3-5)
Children will be inspired by the natural environment and art collection at Chatsworth as they get creative at our art club.
Little Pips gardening club (ages 3-5)
A fortnightly gardening club for pre-school aged children. Explore the garden, make friends and learn new skills while making, growing and having fun.
Seedlings gardening club (ages 4-7)
An after-school gardening club where children will learn how to grow different flowers, fruits and vegetables, and discover the abundance of wildlife at Chatsworth.
Squirrels nature club (SEN)
A nature club for children with additional needs to explore and learn about the wildlife at Chatsworth.
Goats galore
22 May–1 July
A special opportunity to bottle feed and cuddle our goat kids, and help the farmyard team with our goat milking demonstration.
Bird and butterfly decoration workshop
1 June
Learn how to make a colourful set of paper birds or butterflies to hang as decorations.
Young farmers
Selected dates in July & August
Spend a summer's afternoon helping the farmyard team with their daily jobs, from collecting eggs to grooming the animals.
Prehistoric plants children's walk
1, 4, 15, 23, 29 August
Explore Chatsworth and discover some of the plants and trees that existed when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Bugs and botany children's walk
2, 16, 22, 25, 30 August
Explore the Kitchen and Cutting Garden and learn more about the abundance of plants and insects you'll discover there.
Paper making workshop
7 August
Learn the handmade process of making paper by recycling waste, before collecting and adding form from natural debris, flower petals, seeds and leaves.
Bats and beasties
8, 9, 11 August
A nocturnal walk for children where they'll learn more about the creatures that visit Chatsworth at night.
The big tree climb
12–16 August
Enjoy Stand Wood from a new perspective by taking part in our big tree climb this summer; it's a great adventure for all the family.
Make a magical woodland in a jar
31 August
Create a mini magical world in a jar using natural materials you'll forage from the woodland.
Visiting with young children
Learn more about visiting with young children, including baby change facilities, feeding and more.
