Chatsworth

On Saturday Sean and I visited Chatsworth, an amazing house and garden situated in the Peak District, about 30 minutes away from Mickleover.  In my mind I'll always think of this place as "Pemberley" from Pride and Prejudice.  This is actually where they filmed portions of the movie in 2005.  This place is so breathtaking, I was actually moved to tears at times, both within the house and especially outside in the gardens.

Chatsworth house has a very long and interesting history.  It is the current home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, but was originally purchased by Sir William Cavendish by the persuasion of his wife Bess of Hardwick in 1549.  The home stayed in the Cavendish family all of these years, undergoing many renovations and expansions over the centuries as each Earl and eventually Duke chose to leave their mark on the estate. 

I took so many photos at Chatsworth it's so hard to just share a few.  The home is filled with works of art collected by the inhabitants of the home, many of which appeared in the Pride & Prejudice film.  Here is one of my favorites, the marble Veiled Vestal Virgin.

One of the most beautiful rooms was the Dining room, which is still used on special occasions.

The gardens outside were so grand and large that there is no way that a picture from a simple camera like mine can capture their beauty.  This  is one of the views of Chatsworth house from outside in the garden. Below you will also find a picture of Sean near a tunnel of rocks in the garden and the Cascade waterfall as well. The Cascade and it's Temple were finished in1711 and were the crowning point of the 1st Duke's garden. 

This will definitely be a place that I will take visitors to the UK.  I can't wait to show it off to all my family.