Chatsworth Garden

About Chatsworth Garden

Sir William Cavendish and Bess of Hardwick began the house and garden in 1555, and successive generations of the Devonshire family have reshaped them ever since. Early features such as the Canal Pond, the Cascade and the Old Duke's Glasshouse survive alongside later work, much of it by Joseph Paxton, who became head gardener to the 6th Duke in the 1820s.

The garden now covers 105 acres within a much larger park and is cared for by around 20 gardeners, trainees and volunteers. It is in the middle of its biggest transformation for 200 years, including a remodelled rock garden, new maze borders, the Ravine, and Dan Pearson's work on the Trout Stream and Jack Pond.

What to see

• Waterworks: the Cascade, the Willow Tree Fountain and the Emperor Fountain, all fed by gravity from lakes above the garden.
• Rock garden: Paxton's Victorian rockery, now remodelled.
• Maze and borders: the Maze with its surrounding borders.
• Rose, Cottage and Kitchen Gardens.
• Woodland walks: more than five miles of paths with rare trees, shrubs, streams and ponds, plus sculpture old and new.

Planning your visit

Chatsworth is near Bakewell in the Peak District. Book online in advance for free parking; otherwise there is a car park charge. The garden ticket also covers the farmyard and adventure playground, and a House and Garden ticket costs more.

The garden is accessible to manual wheelchair and scooter users, and an accessible route map is available. After prolonged dry weather the water features are running at reduced levels, and the Cascade is closed to walking while it is restored. From 19 October to 6 November staff will be installing the Christmas light trail, which opens on 7 November.