Chatsworth house, garden and farmyard open 18th March 2023
There’s just over a month to go until Chatsworth fully reopens, but there’s still a chance to visit this half term.
When the house and gardens open again, they’ll be accompanied by a new exhibition celebrating Chatsworth’s 500-year history of design and creativity.
Mirror Mirror: Reflections on Design at Chatsworth opens 18th March 2023.
New for 2023, a Celebration of Derbyshire Women is being organised for International Women’s Day.
As well as these, all of the signature events at Chatsworth are back this year – from the Chatsworth International Horse Trials in May, to the three-day Chatsworth Country Fair in September and the show-stopping festive season from early November.
As well as the popular annual events, a whole year of discovery awaits the curious, with a carefully curated programme of activities – from landscape drawing and gardening clubs to exploring literary gems in the library and a behind-the-scenes insight at historic textiles conservation.
Here’s what to look forward to at Chatsworth this year…
Chatsworth Farmyard and Adventure Playground
11th-26th February 2023
Opening for February half-term, there is plenty for children to enjoy, from feeding the animals to learning all about the rare breeds thriving at the farmyard – including the Suffolk Punch horses, Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, Bagot goats and Cream Legbar chickens.
The farmyard has Rare Breeds Survival Trust accreditation in recognition of its important contribution to the conservation of some the rarest livestock and equine breeds native to the UK, making it the perfect place to see these animals up close.
There will also be crafty creative sessions under cover and tractor and trailer discovery tours into Stand Wood.
International Women’s Day
10th March 2023
A celebration of Derbyshire women will take place at Chatsworth this March, curated and hosted by Theresa Peltier (Derbyshire’s high sheriff in nomination for 2023/24).
The day will feature displays and a rolling series of talks, discussions and performances by women from a diverse range of backgrounds – on topics as broad as running small businesses, creating art, or providing charity and other services to the communities of Derbyshire.
This free-to-access, drop-in event is open to all.
It features local singer songwriter Carol Fieldhouse; writer, poet and performer Seni Seneviratne; resident sculptor at Derbyshire Eco Centre, Sue Allanson; Derbyshire Lord Lieutenant Elizabeth Fothergill; and charities such as Women’s Work and Adoption East Midlands.
Mirror Mirror: Reflections on Design at Chatsworth
18th March – 1st October 2023
Chatsworth has been a centre for creativity and new ideas for more than 500 years.
This latest exhibition brings the legacy up to date and introduces new works from 16 leading international artists to the house and garden.
Contemporary pieces in Chatsworth’s historic setting make unexpected connections with the architecture, interiors, furniture, ceramics as well as its essential materials of glass, stone, wood, and light.
Chatsworth International Horse Trials
12th-14th May 2023
World-class equestrian competition across the three disciplines of cross country, show jumping and dressage combine with a fun dog show, children’s entertainment and have-a-go dog agility to make for a memorable experience for all the family.
Book before 30th April for early bird tickets.
Chatsworth Country Fair
1st-3rd September 2023
One of Britain’s most spectacular annual outdoor events, held in the 1,000-acre parkland, Chatsworth Country Fair delivers three action-packed days of thrilling entertainment, inspirational cooking masterclasses, countryside crafts, interactive activities and a vintage funfair.
Book before 30th June for early bird tickets.
Christmas at Chatsworth
4 November 2023 – 7 January 2024
Chatsworth’s must visit Christmas season will see the house transformed from early November.
While the theme is a closely-guarded secret until September, preparations are already underway for the show-stopping festive display.
In the garden
From 18th March 2023
Work around the recently-developed area of the garden known as Arcadia is ongoing, with the glades now looking spectacular.
The planting here (led by designer Tom Stuart-Smith) has become well established since it was planted, and other work includes 200 Rhododendrons being planted to repopulate the area around the ravine and grotto pond.
This year, there are more opportunities to engage with the 105-acre garden, from landscape sketching and creative sessions for children to gardening clubs for all ages as well as talks and workshops from the expert garden team.
In the park
All year
Free to access all year-round (with free parking until 16th March, and well-served by local transport links) the trails and paths in Chatsworth Park offer the perfect setting for enjoying the Derbyshire landscape.
Three new waymarked paths have been created in Stand Wood above the house to make it easier to explore the medieval woodland located on the hill near the farmyard.
For those who would like to find out more about the landscape, an expert from the park team will be running two-hour walking tours focusing on the flora and fauna and sharing insights into what goes into managing the estate which includes 1,000 acres of parkland and the river Derwent.
For more information on any of the above, please visit www.chatsworth.org
About Chatsworth and the Devonshire family
Located within the Peak District National Park, Chatsworth is home to the Devonshire family.
It comprises a Grade I listed house and stables, a 105-acre garden, a 1,822-acre park, a farmyard and adventure playground – and one of Europe’s most significant private art collections.
Chatsworth is also a registered charity.
The Chatsworth House Trust was established in 1981 to look after the house, collections, garden, woodlands and park for benefit of everyone.
Every penny of visitor admission income goes directly to the trust.
Chatsworth plays an important role in the local community as a thriving cultural and educational destination, a nationally important historic landscape, and a working estate that operates with a mindful approach to the environment and sustainability.
The Devonshire Group comprises the interests, charities and businesses in the care of the Devonshire family throughout the UK and Ireland.
These include the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire, Bolton Abbey in Yorkshire, The Compton Estate in Eastbourne and Lismore Castle in Ireland.
