Estate Walks

Join a group of other like-minded walkers to find out how the local landscape has evolved and hear the stories behind the sights from an experienced Chatsworth guide. 

There are four different walks and they each take around two hours with plenty of time for photographs and questions. We meet at the Game Larder on Tuesdays at 9.50am.

£12.50 per person | 10am – 12pm

Lakes loop

16th July
13th August
10th September
8th October

Your guide will show you the lakes above the House and how they were developed to serve the Garden water features. The route includes Emperor Lake, the Hunting Tower, Swiss Cottage, and the Ring Pond.

The 3 mile (5km) distance is mainly on surfaced paths and tracks. There might be some mud! There’s a steady climb before the gradient eases higher up. Our suggested return route has steps, but we can avoid them if needed. There are no stiles to climb.

The North Park and Golden Gates

23rd July
20th August
17th September
15th October

This route includes the Rookery Wood, Ice Pond and the Bar Brook. Your guide will talk about how the area changed and expanded through the 18th and 19th centuries, with a glimpse into the earlier past.

The 3-mile route is fairly level and mostly on well-maintained paths. There’s some grass, so watch your step if the weather is wet. There are no stiles to climb.

Edensor village

6th August
3rd September
1st October

The route to Edensor village takes in Queen Mary’s Bower, Paine’s Bridge, Edensor Church. We’ll see the graves of Joseph Paxton and Kathleen ‘Kick’ Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington and sister to American President John F Kennedy. Your guide will explain how the landscape has changed over the centuries.

The 4-mile route is fairly level and is mainly on well-maintained paths. There’s some grass, so watch your step if the weather is wet. There are no stiles to climb.

Calton Lees via river

30th July
27th August
24th September
22nd October

Your guide will show you some of the most stunning views of the Chatsworth parkland and give an insight into the work of Lancelot “Capability” Brown and his assistant Michael Milliken. We’ll see Queen Mary’s Bower, Paine’s Mill, Calton Lees, and Edensor Village.

The 4-mile route is on good paths and minor roads. It’s mostly flat along the river, with a short, steep climb up the road then a gentle but long climb up to Calton Houses. The way back is mostly downhill. There might be some mud and long grass which can hide uneven ground. There are steep steps at Edensor village which might be slippery when wet.