Join the Party at Chatsworth this Year
Lavish house parties, the inspirational Bachelor Duke, a ladies' maid and dressing up costumes make up some of the intriguing elements at Chatsworth this year as it celebrates the bicentenary of the 6th Duke of Devonshire's succession. Visitors will get a glimpse into a remarkable past when the stunning country estate re-opens its doors to the house on March 13 2011.
- (1888PressRelease) March 12, 2011 - To celebrate the anniversary a number of guest bedrooms have been restored bringing to life the tradition of glittering house parties held at Chatsworth in previous centuries. A guide costumed as a ladies maid will be revealing the secrets of her mistress's suitcase of clothes in the Queen of Scots Dressing Room, laying out the many changes of outfit necessary in just one day. Visitors can also get one step closer to being part of the story by dressing up in costumes of characters from above stairs.
The 6th Duke, son of the renowned Duchess Georgiana played by Keira Knightley in the 2008 film, was a keen party host and the most eligible bachelor of his time. In this bi-centenary year of his succession, Chatsworth is staging a fascinating exhibition about him in a new gallery in the North Wing opening at the end of May. This remarkable man made huge changes at Chatsworth in the 1820s and 1830s, and brought the young gardener Joseph Paxton to work there. Paxton ultimately created the Emperor Fountain and the Great Conservatory for him before going on to design the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition.
Another highlight at Chatsworth in 2011 is the "Our Favourite Things" display in the North Sketch Gallery, personally curated by the Duke and Duchess, and containing pieces they both love, some of which that have never been on public display before. The eclectic mix gives an insight into their interests and passions, such as the New York Giants football given to the Duke, a fan of American Football and a silver telephone given to the 9th Duke by its inventor, Alexander Graham Bell. Another highlight joining one of Europe's most significant and dynamic art collections will be the painting by David Hockney Le Parc des Sources, Vichy, 1970 which has never been on public display at Chatsworth before.
For the first time, visitors can also play the Grand Piano in the Ante Library or turn House Detective in the new hands-on interactive room packed with conservation clues to solve restoration riddles.
This year also sees additions in the garden at Chatsworth, with a new willow sculpture created by Laura Ellen Bacon at the entrance to the kitchen garden. The Display Greenhouse will be opened up for the first time for guided tours, giving visitors the opportunity to get up close to botanical wonders such as the Cavendish banana and Victoria Amazonica waterlily. The Chatsworth gardeners' will be sharing their expertise once again with hands on Discovery Days as well as a programme of talks and tours.
In the working farmyard, there's lots of opportunity for children and adults to find out more about animals from keeping chickens to raising pigs; to pony care and a new guinea pig village. The popular Young Farmers' days are back once again with days for younger children and teenagers. With plenty of other hands on activities from sheep and goat walking to collecting eggs, there's something happening every day of the week as well as lots of special events throughout the school holidays.
Chatsworth continually offers visitors an exciting programme of events throughout the year, from pampering treats on Mother's Day to the mouthwatering delights of the Food and Drink Fair and family fun for the Easter holidays in April. Other highlights in the events calendar include the new Weekend of Wonders, a celebration of innovation and science over the May Bank Holiday; the spectacular Florabundance Festival; a special appearance from the world famous horse whisperer at this year's Horse Trials; a summer of art, adventure, sculpture and stories for all the family; two popular music events in the garden; the stunning Beyond Limits sculpture show in the autumn before the year culminates in the house putting on its festive finery for its carol themed 'Deck the Halls' Christmas season. For details of the events, visit www.chatsworth.org
House, garden, farmyard and adventure playground are open every day from March 13 to 23 December 2011. For more information and ticketing options including a 10 percent discount for online booking, visit www.chatsworth.org or keep up-to-date with the latest news on twitter ( @ ) chatsworthhouse dot
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