A family day out at Chatsworth

Heading into the wilds of Derbyshire on a day when it was dark, cold and pouring with rain, did not strike me as they best way to be spending our recent half-term holiday. As we headed off to Chatsworth for the day I was very tempted to turn round and head home. In fact, if a friend had not been driving, I would have done exactly that.

Thankfully, my fears that our day would be wasted were proved wrong. I had assumed that Chatsworth would only be worth visiting on a sunny day, but there was plenty to do despite the poor weather.

Chatsworth is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and has been home to the Cavendish family since December 1549. As well as the opportunity to view the house and its contents, visitors can also walk round the 105 acre garden, which includes waterworks, a maze and a Victorian tunnel, and enjoy free access to miles of footpaths in the park and woodland. There are also shops and restaurants, a small farmyard and an impressive adventure playground.

I was unsure what a seven- and a five-year-old would think of a stately home, but actually they loved exploring and were egged on by a trail of pumpkins left around the house for them to look for. IJ found the naked statues highly amusing and rather than being put off by the huge portraits and elaborate displays of clothes, jewellery and furniture, she found the whole place fascinating, as did her younger friend.

The Estate holds various events throughout the year and we were there to take part in some of their Halloween activities, which included card making and pumpkin carving. A lot of effort that had been put into decorating the rooms where the activities took place with Halloween pictures and banners, and all the staff involved in the activities had dressed up in costumes. The children loved it and all the activities proved very popular.

Although it was too wet for the adventure playground, there was plenty of time to look round the farmyard and even take part in some animal handling activities. Milking demonstrations and trailer rides were also available.

Rather than spend money on food in the restaurants, we took our own packed lunch which we could eat in an indoor picnic area near the farmyard (thankfully with hand-washing facilities). We did have a coffee in one of the restaurants all in the name of research and found the service and the facilities excellent. The staff wherever we visited were very warm and welcoming and went out of their way to help, even offering umbrellas to visitors queuing up for tickets at the start of the day.

After a full day exploring the house, visiting the farmyard, picnicking and taking part in the Halloween activities, there was just time to explore some of the garden and the rather unusual water features.

All in all, an excellent family day out with plenty to do, even when the weather suggests otherwise. 

We visited Chatsworth  with a complementary press pass. Ticket prices range from £19.50 for a Family Ticket to the Farmyard and Adventure Playground only, to £46 for a Family Discovery Ticket valid for one visit to the house, garden, farmyard and adventure playground in a single day. Visitors can also buy individual tickets with the cheapest child’s ticket being £4.50 for access to the garden only. There are discounted rates for students and senior citizens.

Comments

[cass@frugalfamily]

That looks like a lovely place to visit. I've always thought that it would be a bit boring for my two but it sounds like they would love it x

[Iota]

Lovely day!

[Karin @ Cafe Bebe]

We visited Chatsworth House about 4 years ago before we had Little Miss. Very good to know that it has child appeal. I loved the waterfall steps. Those statues weren't there 4 years ago! Very cool!

Mwah!

Karin

[Helloitsgemma]

I live not far and me and my friends go to chatsworth alot (a lot of them have yearly passes which gets a guest in free (me)). It never fails to be anything other than a great day out. There is loads to do (I've never been in the house). The statues aren't there anymore they were part of a temp exhibition. The house is supposed to be fanatastic when decorated for Xmas. The playground above the farm yard has sandpits and water features (take a change of clothes).

[Jennifer Howze]

Sounds like a fabulous day. We've found that the kids tend to really enjoy visits to stately homes. Maybe it's the grounds, where they can run around, but I think they also like houses that look like castles.

Hope you don't mind but I've added this review to the BMB travel review map, with a link back to this review.

[Rosie Scribble]

That's great Jen. Thanks for adding it.

[Metropolitan Mum]

Sounds lovely. I am looking forward to the time little L will be a bit bigger and I can take her to places like this. There is so much I want to discover about England!