Chatsworth Extras

Chatsworth-Chapter 2

After a little blogging break, I'm back to continue sharing with you some more insights about our rainy day trip to Chatsworth. 

If you remember, I mentioned in my last post that the current Duchess of Devonshire was strolling the public rooms that day, taking her own pictures of a very special exhibition that was taking place the day we visited.

Since the weather was so inclement outdoors and spoiled our garden strolls, we were excited

to know that The Florabundance Festival was in full bloom inside.

Masterful displays by floral designer, Jonathan Moseley,

enhanced the opulence

and beauty of the rooms.

A special emphasis was given to fall displays, including this assortment of peppers holding a multitude of blooms,

and the eggplant arrangement gracing this antique piece of furniture. The house was absolutely transformed, convincing us that our choice of days was not an unlucky one because of the rain, but a lucky one, to be able to see the beautiful floral works of art throughout the house.

One the way back to the train station, our taxi driver insisted we would enjoy a quick detour to the village of Edensor, within the parkland of the Chatsworth Estate. The village dates from 1830, when the 6th duke moved this village from another spot that was blocking the view from the house, to this location a bit further away.

Currently living in the vicarage of the village is the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, ever since the death of her husband, the 11th Duke of Devonshire. Deborah Cavendish is the youngest and last surviving of the infamous Mitford sisters, whose lives were so entwined with English culture.

I couldn't help but be reminded of the Downton Abbey fictitious character, Dowager Countess of Grantham, Maggie Smith, who also lives in her own home near the estate of her former home, Downton Abbey. 

We had time to tour the St. Peter's Church,

and the cemetery where many of the Cavendish family, the dukes of Devonshire and their family members, are buried.

Our taxi driver put on his "tour guide hat" to walk us through the church, the churchyard, and a spot he thought would be of special interest to us as Americans. Here lies the body of Kathleen Kennedy, sister of John F. Kennedy, who was married to William, the heir of the dukedom, but who was killed in action in the Second World War. Kathleen, herself, was killed in an air crash just 4 years after her husband's death, and the plaque in front of the headstone commemorates the day that President Kennedy visited his sister's grave just 5 months before his assassination.

A poignant walk through time that tied our American history to the history of this quaint village of Edensor.

If you make it to Chatsworth, I highly recommend a little detour of your own to this charming village.

Hope Chatsworth is on your bucket list too!

Chatsworth

With all eyes intently focused this fall on Season 3 of Downton Abbey in the UK, there's always interest in a day trip to one of the beautiful historical homes scattered around the countryside of England. Although our choice of days this fall ended up being a soggy, wet one, our trip to Chatsworth proved to be a delight nevertheless.

Chatsworth had been on my bucket list of "must-sees" and it certainly lived up to its title of one of England's top 10 Stately Homes. Chatsworth is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, and has been home to his family since Bess of Hardwick settled there in 1549.

Hopefully, we can return on a sunnier day someday soon to spend more time in the gardens which cover 105 acres of parklands, woods and fountains. The Chatsworth Home itself is the hub of some 35,000 acres of agriculture and estate, including several local villages, driving home to me just how influential this family has been through the ages.

Entering through the main hallway, we began our tour of this beautiful home of 126 rooms-although only 30 are open to the public, since the current 12th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire currently make their home there.

The home contains one of Europe's most significant art collections.

Every room is an eye-opener, including this guest room set in Edwardian times,

with the mistress's clothing ready at her disposal.

We spent quite a bit of time in the Great Dining Room which was beautifully set for a formal occasion,

and where "Alfred" as I referred to him, explained at length the customs of the time.

One of the prominent former residences of this estate is Lady Georgianna, who was married to the 5th Duke of Devonshire. Perhaps you recall the recent book and movie, The Duchess, about her life, starring Keira Knightly. 

An interesting woman to say the least, she was quite popular in London society and the daughter of the first Earl of Spencer, and when her friend, Lady Elizabeth Foster, became her husband's mistress, their friendship continued. Lady Foster even conceived 2 children by the duke, but Georgianna allowed her to live with them at Chatsworth in a strange ménage à trios, until her death at age 48, after which the 5th Duke married Lady Foster.

I was fascinated the day of our visit, that the current Duchess of Devonshire, Amanda Cavendish, showed up in the hallways snapping photos herself of the floral exhibition that was taking place there on the day we visited.

I overheard her tell "Alfred" that the dining room had never looked lovelier.

More about the floral exhibition in my next blog!

Since our stroll through the gardens was cut short by rain, we opted to go to the lovely gift shop where we found these cute chocolate wellies. We could definitely have used some rubbery wellies that day ourselves!

A perfect complement to the day was high tea that we enjoyed in the former stables of the estate.

Warm, cozy and dry, we enjoyed our time chatting together and celebrating a "Girls Day Out" in the countryside. 

There's more to share about our day, coming up soon!