Accessible Britain

079 Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
Address: Bakewell DE45 1PP Web: www.chatsworth.org Tel: 01246 565300; access information 01246
565420 Hours: daily; house 11am–5.30pm; garden 11am–6pm; farmyard & adventure playground
10.30am–5.30pm; last entrance 1 hour before closing Dates: closed Jan–mid-Mar & 24–26 Dec Entry:
prices vary seasonally and for individual attractions, check website for details and discounts; car parking £3
THE WEST MIDLANDS AND WEST COUNTRY
96
Chatsworth House, in the heart of the Peak District in Derbyshire, is a deservedly
popular, extraordinary stately home, dating back to the seventeenth century. Owned
by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, the house has been updated and expanded
over sixteen generations, but the current incarnation remains a harmonious whole.
The four-poster bed where George II died and the Great Dining Room – set as it was
for the visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1933 – are showpiece exhibits. Another
enduring highlight is the magnificent collection of paintings. Chatsworth displays
works by Tintoretto, Van Dyck and Rembrandt, whose Portrait of an Old Man hangs in
the chapel. There is a lot to see in the grounds as well: a grotto and artificial waterfall;
a nursery and assorted greenhouses; a tour of the sensory garden to stimulate sound,
touch and smell; a farmyard, with daily animal handling sessions; and a woodland
adventure playground that has water, sand pits, a climbing forest and spiral slides.
An excellent map indicating the location of benches, accessible toilets and varying
path surfaces is downloadable from the accessibility page of the website, and also given
out on arrival. Parking for Blue Badge holders is clearly marked and free of charge, and
drop-offs are permitted at the main entrance. Close by you’ll find an information kiosk,
a powered scooter and manual wheelchair collection point (these are free to hire but be
sure to book in advance and be aware they may not be made available in bad weather),
and an accessible toilet. There are further accessible toilets in the restaurant and at the
farmyard. For an additional charge, a wheelchair accessible trailer – pre-bookable on
01246 565300 – offers rides to the woods and lakes behind the house, while an adapted
golf buggy takes visitors on tours of the garden. All areas, including the entrance to the
main children’s attractions – the farmyard and adventure playground – are at the top of
the main car park. There is lift and ramp access to the animals, picnic room, café, shop
and playground, but the woodland playground has a bark surface. There is a gently
sloping footpath leading to the paddocks and picnic area.
A new lift in the house means wheelchair users now have unrestricted access to the
full visitor route through the house. Touch tours of selected exhibits in the north wing
and a BSL interpreter can be booked on 01246 565430; these are charged as guided
tours, so booking as a group might be a good idea. Assistance dogs are welcome
throughout the whole estate, including the house. Those who are visually impaired have
access to free audio tours. All the refreshment venues and shops have level access and,
with the exception of the garden shop, plenty of space. The team at Chatsworth have
gone to great lengths to ensure the estate is as accessible as possible; if you have any
queries before you visit they are happy to help on the phone or via the email address
visit@chatsworth.org.
FOOD & DRINK aa Treat yourself to a luxurious brunch, or even a champagne tea, at the
award-winning Cavendish Restaurant.