Sweetbriar Dreams

So where shall we go on our journey today?

Sunday 10 January 2016

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

I have been looking forward to writing this post for oh so long.  I wanted to make sure I was able to enjoy tapping away with my feet up, cup of tea and a chocolate eclair to hand.  So here we are, a picture heavy post which for this exquisite country pile, is more than justified.  The hardest part was deciding which photos would make it here.  So many taken and so many enjoyed once again as I relived each delicious moment of this incredibly grand place.  A house that we will be revisiting next year and sharing again with you.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Before Christmas I gave you the pictorial feast of the inside and Mr Toad's antics amongst the Christmas decorations (in case you missed this my post is here).  But beforehand we had enjoyed some late Autumn sunshine in the gardens which I can only describe as walking amongst your favourite box of chocolates with each corner or avenue displaying a different centre.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Chatsworth House was built in the 1560's with the south and east fronts rebuilt by the 1st Duke of Devonshire (not personally!) by 1696. As we walked around the outside of the south facade of the House (the front and incredibly grand facade will have to wait for our next visit here as we didn't have enough time), the fine architecture and sculptures filled my camera card with their intricate Baroque designs.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

The more I zoomed in the more I could make out.  Incredible detailing.  And yes, there is gold on the windows!  The gold leaf has been reapplied to those windows that were original to the House and not the later extensions.  The Inner Courtyard used to greet visitors and so this entrance has the gold leaf but notice the windows to the right of the photo that did not (later extensions).

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

On the South Facade with the sun shining so brightly, the gold certainly twinkled like a reflecting ring.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Can you imagine all those centuries ago, travelling through the Derbyshire countryside and then stopping here and deciding to build!  Yes, I certainly could.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

In the lake the Emperor Fountain caught rainbows from the sun.  We were so glad that the sun continued for now to shine down.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

This was also installed by the 1st Duke of Devonshire and was the highest fountain in the country.  However the 6th Duke wanted to make it higher and by engineering a gravity fed fountain, this now reaches 200ft.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Another beautiful water feature is The Cascade which was originally completed in 1696 but then extended in 1703.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

"This Cascade was built for the 1st Duke of Devonshire by a French engineer, Grillet, and completed in 1703.  Each step is different to the one below and above it, to vary the sound of the falling water.  The temple was designed by Thomas Archer.  Water can be made to flow over the roof and out of 13 spouts, including the mouths of the stone dolphins, and there are even hidden jets in the floor.  The temple and the Cascade were restored between 1994-96."

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

The Cascade looked beautiful with its autumn leaf jewels making the journey down to us.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Looking down on us amongst the trees was The Hunting Tower which I was fascinated to read that this is now a holiday home.  The details are here where you can see inside!

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Surrounding us were beautiful sculptures.  Only one bottom has made it onto the blog, and I apologise to those who have a nervous disposition, but I have made sure no more will appear!

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

I loved the atmospheric surroundings of this sculpture called Dancing Figures by Lynn Chadwick CBE (1914 - 2003).

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

And this sculpture was very eerie.  Can you imagine being in the dark and catching a glimpse of this lady walking through the leaves?

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Everywhere we looked there was something different amongst Capability Brown's inspirational garden plans.  Simple steps upwards and another piece of art to draw your eye.  Just amazing.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Grand steps leading up to golden tree canopies...

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

... leading to a view of the maze from high up!  It felt like a dream!  This was the spot where the Great Conservatory once stood.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

With flowers still in full bloom to entice you into the entrance, could this place be any more perfect?

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Continuing the exploration of these gardens, we came across the Coal Tunnel.  A couple of flights of stairs and down I went.  Mumsy stayed behind so this was an adventure done on my own!

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

"The coal hole and tunnel were constructed in the late 1830's by Joseph Paxton to supply the boilers that heated his Great Conservatory, where the maze is today.  Coal came in horse drawn carts from Rowsley Station, 3 miles to the south of Chatsworth, taking a road that was hidden behind the garden, and which then came under the Cascade to this cole hole.  The Conservatory required 300 tons of coal every winter.

At the foot of the hole, coal was transferred into small carts (bogies) on rails, which men then pulled through the tunnel to the seven boilers that heated the seven miles of hot water pipes.  The smoke from the boilers passed along an underground flue, remains of which can be seen either side of the hundred steps above the maze , to a tall chimney hidden in Strand Wood.  This elaborate engineering work ensured that visitors to the Conservatory did not see any evidence of the work required to heat the building.

After the demolition of the Conservatory in 1920, the hole and tunnel were gradually filled in with rubble and garden waste,.  They were excavated by members of the Garden, Domain and House departments in 2002-3."

I can't tell you how spooky and atmospheric it was down there.  I was the only one walking through as the wind whistled past me and travelled through the curves of the tunnel.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

When I came out I didn't have a clue where I was so had to go back again to rejoin Mumsy.  The man coming the other way looked white as a sheet when he saw me come round one of the bends!

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Phew, I am at the end of this very edited trip to Chatsworth.  It will be continued when we revisit, which I personally can't wait to walk around again.

Until then, I need to let the mists of time roll over those Derbyshire hills until we return.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

You can catch Chatsworth on film with Pride and Prejudice, The Duchess, Death Comes to Pemberley and the Wolfman.

Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire @www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

Looking forward to my next trip out, whenever that may be.

Have a wonderful week ahead.


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46 comments:

  1. Magical, just magical Chel! Thank you for taking me there x

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  2. Breathtakingly beautiful. That lady sculpture prob. would scare the willy's out of me. Have a lovely upcoming week, friend.

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  3. Can imagine you can´t wait to go there again, I should like to visit Chatsworth too. The photos are magnificent, the one with the high fountain with the rainbow is just gorgeous.
    I have seen more gardens designed by Capability Brown, but this is certainly a great one.
    Thank you for sharing this with us.

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  4. What an amazing place and definitely on my must-see list. Love the rainbow in the fountain and also the image of you tapping away with tea and eclair! x

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  5. Lovely photos and Chatsworth is one of those places you could visit over and over again - I'm particularly liking the rainbow photo :)

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  6. One of my favourite places ever. You find something new every time you visit.
    Thanks for sharing x

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  7. Now that was amazing, beautiful. Looking forward to your next visit to see it again, a real delight.

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  8. This is so gorgeous. I really want to visit it someday. xoox Su

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  9. OH WOW ! I just can't get enough of this gorgeous place. I'm going to Google it to find out more and then dream on. Thank You for the dreams-Denise

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  10. OH WOW ! I just can't get enough of this gorgeous place. I'm going to Google it to find out more and then dream on. Thank You for the dreams-Denise

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  11. Wonderful post Chel. I love Chatsworth and have been twice, twenty years apart and I think it must be time to go again. Thank you for reminding me. x

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  12. Wonderful to see your amazing photos and to relive our visit last year, you bought back many memories for me. Glad that you enjoyed reviewing your photos too! xx

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  13. I think one would need a week there to see and appreciate everything.

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  14. Oh my what a cool place! The fountains alone are fascinating let alone the story about how the place used to be heated. And your photos are great! Thanks for an interesting post.

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  15. Such a wonderful sense of beauty and history!
    Brenda

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  16. Thank you for the tour, Chel. I always look forward to these posts! I love fountains and that one is breathtaking. I do have to point out that there were actually two bottoms photos - you forgot the horse! LOL

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  17. I thoroughly enjoyed this tour (and the Christmas one which I have just caught up on)!

    Diana

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  18. Chel, I have never been to your country, but to me it is one of the most beautiful ever. It would be so wonderful to see all the manor houses Great Britain has to offer...my dream trip is to see the Cotswolds.
    Have a wonderful week.

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  19. What a fantastic place! Recently, this house was profiled on "Great Houses by Julian Fellows" on our local PBS. And I remember the home from Pride and Prejudice. Some of those statues are nice but the modern one was just too Out There for my conservative tastes. :) Thank you for taking us on the tour. I think your photo tour was better than the one on TV. Hope your healing and feeling good today. ~:)

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  20. Fun, that was fun. You are full of adventure to go down deep :-)
    Great photos and tour.
    Thank you!

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  21. WOW! It really does look like it's straight out of a fairytale like in the Pride and Prejudice Movie!! Thanks for sharing with us!

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  22. Love your pictures of Chatsworth! We really enjoyed our visit there, must have been nearly 20 years ago now. You must have been there on a quiet day. When we visited, there were crowds of people on both sides of the cascade when they turned in on, and kids playing in the water as it tumbled down! Didn't even know about the coal tunnel though.

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  23. Choosing photos would have been very difficult for me as well, Chel...beautiful. Your account is wonderful, too. I didn't know even half about this house. Thank you!

    Jane x

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  24. What an amazing place to visit, thanks for the tour x

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  25. Oh wow - what an incredible place. Your photographs certainly do it justice.
    Liz

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  26. You are braver than me, going down that tunnel. The engineering was pretty impressive back then though wasn't it. Plus the work and the determination to make it all happen.

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  27. Amazing place, great photos. I always marvel at things built in the 1500's, our country is so young.

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  28. What a wonderful tour guide you are, Chel. Thanks for going down that spooky coal tunnel! Such a gorgeous place to visit.

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  29. What an amazing and beautiful place, Chel! There really are no words....I love all the architectural details and wonderful gardens. That coal tunnel is very spooky! I would have run the whole way, shrieking :) Thanks for the great tour! x Karen

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  30. I really really want to visit here! Hopefully this will be the year xx

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  31. What a fascinating post, my sweetest Chel, your feet always lead you in wonderful places, I love them {{smiles}} !
    This is one of the places I love most in England and I've also some lovely photographs a dear friend gifted me, but I'd love to go there and visit it by person, I'm sure I'd feel in awe !
    Thank you for sharing such a wonderful, gorgeous post, my darling, I've spent such beautiful moments here with you !

    May the remainder of your week be blessed with joy
    sending dear love
    Dany

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  32. What a fascinating place to visit! I enjoyed it very much and your photos are beautiful. I think I liked the tiered waterfall the most. The conservatory must have been amazing to see in its day and the feat of heating it with coal is amazing. That tunnel was indeed spooky. I wouldn't have wandered down alone. Thanks for sharing your visit with us Chel. Have a wonderful week.

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  33. Chatsworth has been on my favorites list forever and I still have never made it there sadly! Thank you for sharing so much here dear Chel, and hopefully you will perhaps get back in springtime to gently exercise your healed tootsies, and bring us more lovely pix please! Wish I could visit there with you and mumsy! That would be lovely.

    Hugs - Mary

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  34. What a magnificent estate; so much to see and appreciate. I love the gardens, the cascading water and fountain, the sculptures. I agree about the lady walking. . .at night she must look ghostly. You're very brave, indeed, to go through the tunnel alone. I hopped over to your Christmas post on Chatsworth. Oh, my! Delicious in every detail. I adore the weasels. So whimsical. Oh, and I also checked out The Tower interior. Quite impressive, and so then I had to look at all the Chatsworth Cottages. Oh, be still my beating heart! The Gardener's Cottage kitchen is right out of my dreams. (sigh) Thank you for this lovely post. xo

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  35. I've not been to Chatsworth for a few years but it is a stunning garden, as your photos show. I like the addition of the sculptures, don't remember that many when I went last time. Great photos. Love the one of the rainbow through the fountain. I must make a return visit myself.

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  36. Oh my god. The pics are great.
    Happy that i found you.
    Nice greetings from austria your new follower
    Kuni

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  37. Hello Chel, wow what a truly beautiful place to visit! I enjoyed looking at the photos. Take care and enjoy the week.
    Julie

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  38. Hello Chel, what a beautiful place. I enjoy your tour. The fountain shot with the rainbow is gorgeous! lovely image.s Thanks for sharing your visit. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

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  39. Your photography and subjects are brilliant. Gold leaf on the windows a classic touch.

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  40. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful visit with us, your photos are amazing in detail and quality and always a joy to look at. I agree that walking woman statue is very spooky.

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  41. One friend of yours commented that it was magical...I quite agree, my friend :) My, what an incredible place to see with your own eyes. Your images took my breath away and I am truly grateful to you for sharing them with us.

    Thank you, sweet Chel, for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. HUGS!

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  42. You had me at chocolate eclair! LOVE the photographs. You must have felt like you were in a dream! Thank you for sharing with us!

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  43. I love that wrought iron gate at the top of the stairs and the rainbow you captured in the water. What a nice way to start the day...walking through and dreaming of Jane Austen. Share a cup of coffee with me? Hugs!

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  44. I adore this house and grounds in movies and in a TV special...what a dream to visit there.

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  45. I really enjoyed the tour. I think I need to rewatch Pride & Prejudice asap!

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  46. We've just re-watched our Pride & Prejudice and Death Comes to Pemberley DVDs!

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