Our Grand Day Out at Chatsworth

Last week we had an afternoon off and decided to visit Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. 
We hadn't been to Chatsworth for a few years and as the afternoon was sunny we decided it would be a perfect time to visit. 
Chatsworth is approximately 1 hour by car from our B&B in Alton.  We chose to go via Dovedale in the Peak District, it was a really lovely journey through beautiful countryside with lots of lambs!
Even though we've been to Chatsworth before when you first glimpse the house as you drive along it takes you breath away, it must easily be one of the most impressive grand houses in the UK. 
We arrived at lunchtime and went straight to the old coach house for a bite to eat.  The food was hot and really delicious, just what we needed. 
Next we took a leisurely walk around the inside of the house.  The rooms, artwork and treasures on display have to be seen to be believed.  There are plenty of old pieces to admire but the Devonshire family are clever folk and are mixing old with modern art.  Not to every ones taste we're sure but they are trying to move with the times.  Nice to see even though the modern stuff wasn't our cup of tea.
After our tour of the house we enjoyed an ice cream and a stroll (well more like a hike!) around the magnificent garden.  There are statues, a hot house, fountains, a maze, water features, lakes, trees and plants galore.

 

Here is a snap we took on our tour of the gardens.  Makes the pond in our garden look like a puddle!

 

A browse around a shop or two and the afternoon was over, it was time to head home!
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Chatsworth, clearly a huge amount of effort is put in by the staff there who were all friendly, helpful and seemed happy in their work!
MALT TIP: If you visit Chatsworth make sure you have at least one whole day there so that you get to see everything.