Saturday, July 18, 2015

England, Day Five, Part Two






After seeing the interior of Chatsworth, you know we are in for a treat looking at the grounds!  There are acres and acres of gardens.  So, do you have your walking shoes on?  Let's go!

Walking out of the Sculpture Gallery and through the very tempting shop we leave the home to see Flora's Temple.




Flora's Temple was built between 1693 and 1695.  It originally stood at the center of Flora's garden, but was moved to the current location in 1750.  Jan Nost sculpted Flora.  The gardens have changed with each generation.  


Walking to the right we see The Case.







The Case was originally called the Conservative Wall.  It was designed by Joseph Paxton in 1838.  It, of course, holds all the tender plants that cannot stand the cold in Devonshire.  The structure is quite large and is about 100 yards long.  


Climbing a hill beside The Case we approach the First Duke's Greenhouse.  It houses Chatsworth camellia collection.  Outside of the greenhouse are the most wonderful peonies in full bloom!  These tree peonies were introduced by Duchess Deborah.  Aren't they beautiful?




Look at the Kennedy half dollar chair we found at the First Duke's Greenhouse.




Even though not many roses are in bloom yet, the Rose Garden is lovely.




The Rose Garden was created in 1811 by the 6th Duke.  Flora used to reside in this garden.  In 1939 Duchess Mary, wife of the 10th Duke, remodeled this area and removed the statuary.

Here are a few camellias that are in bloom.  Check out the view of Chatsworth!








Let's climb the hill and go to the stable.  We need to walk through this woven gate--wattle gate style.







The Stables are now used to house dining establishments and markets.  It is quite a large rectangular affair with an open courtyard in the center.  Note the clock in the tower.  It must be wound every other day.  


War Horse-1991


War Horse is a fairly new piece that was added to The Stables by Deborah, the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire.  She shared a close friendship with the sculptor Dame Elizabeth Frink.  The bronze statue is the first contemporary piece to be added to the ducal collection in over 150 years.  

Are you getting hungry?  All this touring around the home and the grounds has me starving.  We would love it if you join us for lunch.  There are many choices for lunch.  Let's go into the Cavendish Restaurant.  It's so nice to sit down and enjoy a little refreshment.  Grayden and I are going to split the Ploughman's Lunch.  Have what you'd like.  I'll have a lovely pot of tea, please.

Let's gaze on this view and remember it!  It's so special here at Chatsworth!










Even bluebells bloom at Chatsworth!!




And of course there are lambs!




Chatsworth gardens are enormous.  The window views from England, Day Five gives you an idea of the size.  If you want to check out more of their gardens go to chatsworth.org   Their website is wonderful!  



We wanted to visit one more place on the way back "home", Gawthorpe Hall.  This is an Elizabethan country house on the River Calder.  It is run by the National Trust.  Gawthrope Hall is affectionately known as the Downton of the North.  Since Highclere was not allowing visitors during the time we were in England we wanted to visit Gawthrope instead.  Gawthrope was redesigned by Sir Charles Barry --who designed the House of Parliament and Highclere Castle.

Driving to Gawthrope was lovely.




Arriving in the car park we noticed there were not many cars.  Also not any people as we are used to seeing.  So we walked to Gawthrope to take a look.




Now we're beginning to wonder.  Where are we going?  Continuing on we come upon a lovely estate.




Gawthrope Hall houses a large collection of portraits  from the National Portrait Gallery and The Gawthrope Textiles Collection.  I was so looking forward to viewing them.  Grayden saw some work men over the hill and asked them about us going in for a visit.  They informed him that the Hall is now closed for renovations.  They were sorry we didn't know and hoped we didn't come too far!  The National Trust had not updated this information on their website before we left home.  We were disappointed we were unable to see the inside but enjoyed the grounds to ourselves.
















20 comments:

  1. Another collection of beautiful photos. It's a same that the house was closed for renovations but the grounds were amazing. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you, Joan. We're sorry we didn't get to go inside, but we were happy to see the outside of Gawthrope Hall. ♥

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  2. Looks right out of a Jane Austen book. Speaking of Downton Abbey/Highclere... Did Chatsworth appear on DA? Either it is looking familiar because I have been traveling with you or because of DA. Beautiful photography as always!

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    1. You are right about Jane Austen, Vee. It is believed Jane Austen based Pemberly after Chatsworth. I don't know if Downton Abbey ever featured Chatsworth. I'm not finding any reference to the show. Chatsworth certainly has the same opulence and grandeur of Highclere. ♥

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  3. I think Chatsworth was used in the film version of Pride and Prejudice. Certainly, it is a stately home that is every inch worthy of the adjective 'stately' {although in the case of 'stately home' it may be a noun ~ confused!} We can only begin to grasp the size of the lands owned by these people, for it is not only the immediate, often enormous, estate, but the land owned by the gentry too, the 'greater' estate, if you will. I recall visiting Tatton Park and learning that the estate covered land reaching far beyond the extensive grounds, in fact the forty five minute drive was across land once owned by the Egerton family.
    Wonderful pictures and information, as always, I've enjoyed my visit ~~~ Deb

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    1. Yes, Deb, Pride and Prejudice was filmed at Chatsworth. I will have to read more about Tatton Park to learn more about it. Even in America, in the colonist days, huge land ownership was the key to wealth---and I guess still is. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and others owned huge expanses of land. I can't imagine owning land that would take forty five minutes to cross. Thank you for coming along on our adventure. ♥

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  4. What beautiful grounds surrounding Chatsworth! The tree peonies introduced by Duchess Deborah are so unique. The buildings throughout the grounds are magnificent! It's so nice that the Stables are used in such nice ways today. The pretty drive to Gawthrope and the gardens were definitely worth the trip. You will have to put Gawthrope Hall at the top of your list for your next visit!! Heartfelt thanks to you and Grayden for sharing your adventure with us, Martha Ellen! I just love traveling with you!!
    ♡Dawn@Petals.Paper.SimpleThymes

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    1. Dawn, it's so nice having you along with us! Chatsworth is just an unbelievable estate! England is a treasure trove of castles, estates, museums and lovely scenery! Grayden and I are so pleased that you are enjoying the trip with us. Have a wonderful afternoon! ♥

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  5. How could you bear to leave??!! I could just remain there forever and ever. I am wondering if you went to the Folly made famous by Lizzie and Mr Darcy...in the rain....Oh my gosh! I hope so.

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    1. Oh Jeri, it was so hard to leave Chatsworth! I wanted to just soak it all in and stay but we had more places to visit, so that took the sting away. I believe the Temple of Apollo is where Lizzie and Mr Darcy were. That is at Stourhead---and no we were not able to squeeze that into our plans... There are so many places that I would love to go back and see. England has captured my heart for sure and I hope one day to return! ♥

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  6. Oh my goodness. What jaw-dropping sights!! The grounds at Chatsworth are stunning! Oh, and I am fascinated at the half-dollar chair. :) And I love the wicket gate!

    You and Grayden certainly got a workout with all of that touring!

    Beautiful, beautiful!!

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    1. Oh yes, Cheryl, we were quite busy on this trip. We were rewarded with such lovely sights!
      I couldn't find anything about the Kennedy half dollar chair. I did read somewhere that JFK's sister Kathleen, was married to the heir apparent of the Duke of Devonshire. He died in WWII and she died in a plane crash. Such a sad story , but maybe the chair is a nod to that. I'm not sure. ♥

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  7. Another beautiful tour, I do love gardens.
    Love coming along on your journey.
    Fondly Michelle

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    1. Everything is so lovely in your country, Michelle! Thank you for joining us on our journey. ♥

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  8. That conservatory is truly amazing. I enjoyed joining you on your walk around the property!

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    1. The Case was larger than it appears in the photos, Cathy. Everything at Chatsworth was grand and glorious. I'm happy you are sharing this journey with me. ♥

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  9. Isn't it incredible how such a small area can hold so many amazing places to visit! Love your photos.

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    1. I agree, Judy--we feel we could go back several times and still not see everything! ♥

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  10. Replies
    1. Thank you--So much to see in England! It's just amazing! ♥

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