1. Is Chatsworth open?

The house, garden and farmyard are open from late-March until early January each year, along with all of our shops and restaurants. Select shops and restaurants, including the estate farm shop, are open all year round. View our opening times.

Pre-booking is advisable in order to guarantee your preferred slot, but not essential.

Tickets and discounts

2. Do I need to book in advance?

Advance booking is not mandatory, however access to the house is by timeslot, and capacities in the house and farmyard are limited to improve visitor experience. We therefore strongly recommend booking a ticket in advance. Also, when booking in advance, car parking is included free of charge with your booking.

3. Does Chatsworth offer Gift Aid?

Yes, you can Gift Aid your admission to Chatsworth.

Chatsworth is cared for by Chatsworth House Trust, a registered charity (no. 511149). If you choose to purchase a ticket plus donation, either online or on arrival at Chatsworth, you can make a Gift Aid declaration which allows us to claim an additional 25% back from the Government.

All income from ticket sales, Gift Aid, membership, sponsorship, donations and grants goes directly to the charity and is reinvested in the preservation and improvement of the house, collections, garden, parkland and woodland, and in our learning and outreach programme. 

Learn more.

4. I might run late for my entry time. Can I arrive late?

Please email us with your booking reference number and we will move your visit to a later timeslot subject to availability. 

5. Do you offer a discount for carers?

We offer free admission to carers who are visiting with the person they care for. Please include carers when booking your tickets online.

If you should need any access assistance, please email us or call us on 01246 565 300.

6. Is Chatsworth part of the Art Fund National Art Pass?

Chatsworth is a partner of Art Fund. Members of Art Fund with a National Art Pass receive a 50% discount on individual house & garden tickets for visits on or before 31 October. Please be aware this does not include Christmas tickets.

Present your National Art Pass when you purchase your ticket on site to receive this discount, or refer to your exhibition guide for details of how to book online and obtain your discount. You must present your Art Pass up on entry to Chatsworth House/Garden to validate your discount. Please see the Art Fund website for more information.

7. Is Chatsworth a National Trust or English Heritage property?

Chatsworth is not part of the National Trust or English Heritage, so standard admission prices apply. View our tickets and prices.

8. Is Chatsworth a Treasure House of England?

Chatsworth is one of the Treasure Houses of England. Find out more about the Treasure Houses of England.

Visiting the house, garden, farmyard and park

9. Are dogs allowed at Chatsworth?

Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the garden and park, and assistance dogs are allowed in the house and farmyard as well. We’ve also made some additions this year, to make visiting Chatsworth with your dog as simple and fun as possible. Learn more about visiting with your dog.

Dogs are not allowed in the house or farmyard and adventure playground, but there are posts to tie dogs up for a short time outside the farmyard. We do not advise that you leave your dog in your car. Assistance dogs, such as guide dogs, are allowed in the house and farmyard.

10. Is photography and videography allowed at Chatsworth?

Photography and videography for personal use is welcome, however tripods and lighting equipment may not be used in the house, garden or farmyard and selfie sticks may not be used in the house. Flash photography may also be restricted in the house and drones are not permitted anywhere on the estate. Professional photography is not permitted, and photographs taken on the estate may not be sold or used for any commercial or promotional purpose.

Photography and videography of some loan paintings in the house may be restricted, as indicated by signs or information provided by guides.

Photography and videography of children and young people is prohibited without consent of the accompanying adult. This includes, but is not limited to, school groups and/or those attending family events.

Please note that wedding photography and videography are exclusive to couples getting married at Chatsworth. Visitors dressed in wedding attire will not be allowed access to the house or garden. In order to preserve the exclusivity for the couples who choose to get married here, professional portrait and engagement photography is not permitted at Chatsworth.

We reserve the right to ask visitors taking part in wedding, engagement, portrait or commercial photography to leave the estate.

11. Are drones allowed at Chatsworth?

Please note that in the interests of visitor safety, we do not permit the launching or landing of drones on the Chatsworth Estate, unless agreed in advance in writing.

For further information, please see the Drone Code produced by the Civil Aviation Authority for a practical guide on how to fly your drone safely and in full compliance with the law.

12. Are barbecues allowed at Chatsworth?

Barbecues and fires are not permitted anywhere on the Chatsworth Estate. 

Please read more about enjoying the park safely.

13. Are bags, pushchairs or mobility scooters allowed in the house?

Unfortunately, we cannot allow large bags, rucksacks, pushchairs or rucksack-style baby carriers in the house. There is storage available in the left luggage room.

Mobility scooters also cannot be used inside the house. However, other smaller mobility aids may be used.

14. How long does it take to explore the visitor route of the house?

We recommend 1.5+ hours to be able to see everything in the house. 

15. I would like to see a particular piece from the collections; where is it?

We have lots of exciting objects and artwork, but they are not always on display for public view.

We have an active programme of exhibitions and loans, plus objects may be rotated or removed for cleaning and restoration.

If you are interested in seeing a particular piece, please contact us in advance of your visit to find out if it will be on public display.

16. What is not allowed in the garden?

Gazebos, tents, bicycles, skateboards and scooters are not allowed in the garden.

Barbecues are not allowed in the garden or anywhere else on the Chatsworth Estate.

Please also see question 12 about the flying of drones.

17. When are the water features active in the garden?

The water features play during the open season from 11am until 4.30pm. Please note that the water features are gravity fed and reliant on the water levels in the lakes above Chatsworth. The active times may change due to rainfall.

Due to the Cascade requiring urgent repair, we are unable to run water down the steps. Find out more about our fundraising campaign here

18. Am I allowed to swim in, or use canoes/boats on the river?

Wild swimming and the use of canoes or boats on the River Derwent on the Chatsworth Estate is not permitted, this includes the stretch of river at Calton Lees. This is to avoid disruption to the ecosystem of the river, and to help ensure the safety of our visitors. The river contains deep pools with undercurrents below the weirs as well as the possibility of slippery and sharp objects on the river bed. There are no navigation rights on the River Derwent within the Chatsworth Estate.

19. What activities are allowed in the park?

You are welcome to walk, cycle, picnic and play in the park for free. We do, however, ask you to follow the a few simple guidelines and to be aware that access may sometimes be limited. Learn more about enjoying the park safely.

 

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