Chatsworth house gardens

Alcoblog · 10-10-2009, 21:40

Been to Chatsworth house today and went into the gardens... how very beautiful . So much work gone into them . There is such a diversity of trees and plant life. The sculptures are brilliant and Anthony Gormley's 'angel of the north' is devastatingly superb! any comments?

chem1st · 10-10-2009, 21:45

They were charging to get into the gardens last time I visited and I was skint.

I'm sure the time I went previously, although this would have been well over a decade ago, it was free to get in the gardens. From what I remember the gardens are very nice.

Alcoblog · 10-10-2009, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by chem1st

They were charging to get into the gardens last time I visited and I was skint.

I'm sure the time I went previously, although this would have been well over a decade ago, it was free to get in the gardens. From what I remember the gardens are very nice.

It's £7. 50 to get in but very well worth it. you get to see the most remarkable things created by artists and gardeners ( cheaper than lunch in the pub)

purdyamos · 10-10-2009, 22:35

Could the charging be something to do with the new(ish) Duke? A few years ago I knew someone who worked on the estate and there were going to be significant changes after the old Duke died and his son took over. I got the impression the former had a generous spirit towards people while the new Duke appeared to be more corporate minded.

But then I might just be completely wrong.

Longcol · 11-10-2009, 11:38

They've been charging for entry to the gardens for as long as I can remember. Certainly were in 1984 - the first time I met the future Mrs Longcol.

GrannyGranny · 11-10-2009, 12:24

They have been charging for years including for the house, farmyard and adventure playground. Its a private estate and so has to pay for its upkeep. It simply couldn't survive otherwise. Some info re. the Trust here and how the house if run, http://www.chatsworth.org/files/fom_cht.pdf

I was there yesterday with my 3 kids and has a great time. i didn't manage to get to see all the scrulpures but some have been up for a while. I buy a pass for the family, its works out just over £100 for the year (actual 9 months as the park is closed end of Dec to March). Considering it would be over £20 for all of us just to visit the farmyard and playground once it easily pays for itself.

millhouses24 · 11-10-2009, 17:23

It is lovely indeed! What I especially liked was the way in which they really seem to make a point of having a lot of modern art in the house and gardens rather than just staying with the traditional stately home formula of "old" stuff (not that there is a lack of "old" stuff of course

).

I remember wandering through the garden and coming across a revolving metal thing, and it just WORKED. Fantastic!

(You've made me jealous by the way! I want to go again soon now

.)

Alcoblog · 11-10-2009, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by millhouses24

It is lovely indeed! What I especially liked was the way in which they really seem to make a point of having a lot of modern art in the house and gardens rather than just staying with the traditional stately home formula of "old" stuff (not that there is a lack of "old" stuff of course

).

I remember wandering through the garden and coming across a revolving metal thing, and it just WORKED. Fantastic!

(You've made me jealous by the way! I want to go again soon now

.)

The sculpture I really liked was Anthony Gormleys "angel of the north" (a smaller version) set against the background of the fountain and the house itself. It was so incongruous it seemed right. The sculpture, like the large one is designed to decay through oxidisation and went really well with everything there - ie plants and trees - (I want to go and steal it!)

ray brownell · 11-10-2009, 23:26

fabulous place great walks

callippo · 11-10-2009, 23:52

always the best bet for the classier day out around here, especially if you're entertaining people from overseas. The landscaping is world class and will impress even somebody from Kyoto. If the weather is good, pack a picnic because a barbecue won't work.

Hetty · 13-10-2009, 12:30

I went to the Christmas display last year, my fourth visit. I won't be going again, I thought it was very poor. As a pensioner it cost over £14 don't know the other rate. The best one was The Twelve Days Of Christmas, the Dowager Duchess was greeting people in the Stable bar and asking if you had enjoyed it. I did Your Grace, thank you!

JenC · 13-10-2009, 13:05

I often walk around the grounds, but the last time I went to the actual gardens was at Christmas when the lake was frozen and everything was covered in frost - it was beautiful.

As for the Christmas display in the house, I thought it was nice, although they never have as many rooms open at Christmas as they do during the rest of the year unfortunately.

ianparkin · 13-10-2009, 14:21

I would have thought alcoblog that you could have made a similar angel with your skills

Ian

Powerage · 13-10-2009, 14:29

I went with my daughter and some friends on one of the few boiling hot days of the summer holidays and we had a fantastic time, I can't wait to go again.

The sculptures looked great, loved the gardens and we had a lovely cool off in the paddling bit (not sure what its called) that comes down the hill.

We took a picnic but bought one of their fantastic massive ice creams took ages to eat!