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Visiting Chatsworth House (Pride and Prejudice‘s Pemberley) is a must for any Jane Austen fan.
Touring the house and grounds transports you to Regency times; and it’s so easy to put yourself in an Austen novel as you walk through the gardens or up the grand staircases.
I kept thinking of the word “magical” to describe how it felt walking around Chatsworth House and its gardens. Everything was so beautiful. It was hard to believe a place like this existed and that one family owned it all!
If you’ve never read a Jane Austen novel or seen any film adaptations of her books, you may still like touring a grand, centuries-old house with incredible gardens and beautiful artwork.
Chatsworth House is special because of its beauty, its grandness, and its ties to Jane Austen and other historical figures.
For Jane Austen fans, don’t miss Chatsworth House — it’s a must see!
How Is Chatsworth House Connected to Pride and Prejudice?
Chatsworth House is connected to the book Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen in two ways.
1. Chatsworth House is mentioned in Pride and Prejudice when Elizabeth Bennet is discussing plans for her northern tour with her aunt and uncle. It’s not clear from the book if they ever visited it, but the characters had at least heard of Chatsworth House and considered it a “celebrated beauty.”
“…they were obliged to give up the Lakes, and substitute a more contracted tour, and, according to the present plan, were to go no farther northwards than Derbyshire. In that county there was enough to be seen to occupy the chief of their three weeks; and to Mrs. Gardiner it had a peculiarly strong attraction. The town where she had formerly passed some years of her life, and where they were now to spend a few days, was probably as great an object of her curiosity as all the celebrated beauties of Matlock, Chatsworth, Dovedale, or the Peak.”
— Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
2. Chatsworth House was used as the filming site of Pemberley, the fictional house of fictional character Mr. Darcy, in the 2005 movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
“She had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!”
— Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Did Jane Austen Actually Visit Chatsworth House?
Some say Jane Austen did visit Chatsworth House. Some say she even wrote parts of Pride and Prejudice while staying in the nearby town of Bakewell. It’s not quite historical fact, just mere speculation.
Other Famous People Who Have Visited Chatsworth House
While rumors abound as to whether or not Jane Austen actually visited Chatsworth, many other famous people have, such as:
- Novelist Elizabeth Gaskell
- Queen Victoria
- Florence Nightingale
- Princess Diana
- Actress Keira Knightley (while filming Pride & Prejudice and The Duchess)
- Actress Mia Wasikowska (while filming Jane Eyre)
Quick Facts for Visiting Chatsworth House
Location: Chatsworth House, Bakewell DE45 1PP
Cost: £29.09 (off peak) or £31.81 (standard) per adult (without donation) to tour the house and gardens
Standard Pricing: School holidays and most weekends
Open Season: Late March to early January (closed in winter for conservation)
House Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (open at 10 a.m. in summer only)
Garden Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (open 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. in summer only)
Parking: Free, if tickets booked online
Buy Tickets (It’s best to buy your tickets in advance so that you can secure your desired entry time. But it’s not mandatory to buy tickets in advance.)
What to Do at Chatsworth House
There is SO MUCH to see at Chatsworth House, the house itself (with its 300 rooms and 81,000 square feet) is only the tip of the iceberg. The gardens are massive (1,000 acres of parkland and a 105-acre garden). You’ll need at least five hours to visit properly. See this map for yourself.
Allow at least two hours to tour the house and at least three hours to tour the gardens.
The house is usually open until 4:30 p.m. and the gardens until 5:30 p.m.
Both the house and the gardens are incredible. This estate is a place you could get lost in, and I wouldn’t be surprised if people have.
Which Areas of Chatsworth House Were Used to Film Pride and Prejudice (2005)?
While touring the house, Pride and Prejudice fans will probably immediately spot the areas used in filming. Here’s what you should look out for:
- Grand staircase and ceiling of the Painted Hall
- Sculpture Gallery, including the bust of Mr. Darcy and the veiled Vestal Virgin sculpture
- Grounds of Chatsworth House, including the Emperor Fountain and Canal Pond
- Back patio and stairs leading to the garden
1. Tour Chatsworth House
I’d recommend touring the house first as the gardens will take much longer to explore and there is a timed entry for the house.
Tours of the house are self guided. You’ll wander the halls wherever the velvet ropes lead you.
It honestly seems more like a museum than a house. Artwork is everywhere. Be sure to take your time to really admire everything, it’s an incredibly opulent house.
Does the modern art “ruin” the experience?
In some reviews, I read complaints about the modern art in and around Chatsworth House “ruining the experience” of touring a historic home. I didn’t feel this way at all. The current owners of Chatsworth House obviously love art, and they have an extensive art collection from a range of eras up to contemporary times.
I appreciated the diversity of the art collection and thought the modern art personalized the home for the current owners. At the end of the day, Chatsworth House is not just a filming location, it’s a family home.
2. Admire the Sculpture Gallery
The Sculpture Gallery is one of the last rooms you’ll visit before you enter the gift shop (and the exit). It was built by the 6th duke and contains the duke’s collection of sculptures, some of which he commissioned in the 19th century.
The Sculpture Gallery was also used in the filming of Pride and Prejudice in the scene where the housekeeper is telling Elizabeth Bennet about Mr. Darcy’s good qualities.
Who Owns Chatsworth House?
Chatsworth House is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, and it has belonged to the Cavendish family for 16 generations.
The 12th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire currently own and live in Chatsworth House.
The Cavendish family first purchased Chatsworth House in 1549 for £600, which is about £164,819 in today’s currency. Nearly every generation since has added onto the house and/or gardens, making it their own.
3. Find Mr. Darcy’s Bust in the Gift Shop
If you’re like me and you want to see the film prop bust of Mr. Darcy from the Pride & Prejudice movie, look in the Orangery gift shop.
I naively scanned every room of the house, every sculpture in the Sculpture Gallery, trying to spot it only to realize it was in the gift shop all along. Of course. Why would they display a film prop amid all their authentic, expensive artwork?
Mr. Darcy’s bust was created especially for the movie, and it got to stay at Chatsworth House once filming was over, as a souvenir.
You’ll find Mr. Darcy’s bust in the middle of the gift shop. You can even take home a miniature version of it.
There’s a funny little sign near Mr. Darcy’s bust that states “Please do not kiss!”
4. See the Emperor Fountain and Canal Pond
After touring the house, head first to the Emperor Fountain and Canal Pond as it’s the estate’s most recognizable feature. It’s also where you’ll get the best photos of the house.
The Canal Pond was dug between 1702 and 1703. The fountain, which is gravity-fed, is usually on between 10:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., though this may vary.
One staff member told us they were surprised the fountain was on the day we visited as it hadn’t been on in a few days.
5. Try Solving the Maze Garden
The Maze Garden was completed in 1962 for the 11th duke. You can go to a higher viewpoint to look down at the maze or try entering it and solving it yourself.
It was honestly more difficult than it seems. There are a lot of dead ends before reaching the middle, so good luck if you decide to venture into it!
6. Explore the Rest of the Gardens
Definitely take your time wandering the gardens as there is so much to see. There are signs to tell you where things are but you can also pull up a map if needed.
I’ll list out a couple highlights for us in the gardens:
- Emperor Fountain and Canal Pond
- Maze
- Rock Garden (sooo incredible!)
- Cascade
- Coal Hole and Tunnel
- Rose Garden
7. Visit Nearby Bakewell
Bakewell is a cute little village that’s nice to walk around. I’ve heard it mentioned in a few English novels and shows, such as Belgravia and Pride & Prejudice, so I was so curious to visit.
I finally got to see Bakewell for myself on a second visit to Chatsworth during Christmastime.
Here are some places to check out in Bakewell:
- The Olde Original Bakewell Pudding Shop — you must try a Bakewell pudding!
- Bakewell Bridge and Bakewell Love Lock Bridge
- Bakewell Visitor Centre
- Pubs like Castle Inn and Wheatsheaf Pub and Pantry
- A tea room like the Lavender Tea Rooms or Byways Tearooms
How to Get to Bakewell from Chatsworth House
The 218 Peak Line bus goes from Chatsworth to Bakewell in about 20 minutes (it’s 5 miles away).
You can also go from Bakewell straight to Sheffield Station on the same bus line.
Lunch Suggestion: Picnic on the Grounds
Consider packing your lunch and eating on the grounds at Chatsworth. There are no picnic tables, so you’ll have to settle for eating on the lawn.
We brought food with us (a Meal Deal) and had a little picnic on the lawn.
For those who don’t know, a Meal Deal is this awesome deal at almost any grocery store in the UK where you can pick out an entree (like a sandwich or salad), a snack (like chips/crisps), and a drink — all for £3!
Pack a Meal Deal and a blanket, and you’ll have a wonderful view during lunch at Chatsworth House.
If you’d rather not bother, there are some restaurants/cafes at Chatsworth where you can lunch instead.
Best Time to Go to Chatsworth House
The best time to go would be in the morning, perhaps the first entry time of the day. That way, you’ll have a less crowded experience.
Although, we went in the afternoon, and it didn’t seem very crowded to us, we would have liked more time.
As for what time of year is best to go, I think any time of year would be beautiful. In winter, it snows, of course, so that may inhibit exploration of the gardens. The house is also closed from January to late March.
Is It Worth Visiting During Christmas?
Visiting Chatsworth House during Christmas was not as magical as I’d hoped it would be.
Pro: Christmas decorations. Don’t get me wrong, the Christmas decorations were stunning.
Con: Crowds. But it was hard to admire them when there were SO. MANY. PEOPLE.
The crowds during Christmastime were far beyond what I experienced at Chatsworth House on my first visit during the summer. It made it far less enjoyable.
Con: Partially closed gardens. Additionally, much of the gardens were closed to make way for the light displays, so it was a bit disappointing not to be able to see everything. (But also, it’s December, so there’s not much growing, anyway.)
Pro: Light show on the house. However, the light show on the house itself was a highlight. We watched it at the far end of the pond (where no one else was) and loved finding this little peaceful moment to enjoy the beauty of Chatsworth, crowd free.
Pro: Huge Christmas market. I didn’t even know Chatsworth House offered a Christmas market, but they do, and it is HUGE. Over 100 stalls, selling everything from mulled wine to socks. It was definitely fun to browse.
What Are Other Nearby Pride and Prejudice Filming Locations?
Haddon Hall (6 miles away) in Bakewell, UK, was used as the fictional Lambton Inn, where Elizabeth Bennet and her aunt and uncle stayed during their trip in Pride and Prejudice. The wood-paneled dining room served as the main backdrop during those filming scenes inside Haddon Hall, a medieval manor house.
Stanage Edge (13 miles away) in the Peak District was the spot where Elizabeth Bennet stood on the cliff side, admiring the view, in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie.
National Trust Lyme Park and House (26 miles away) was Pemberley in the 1995 TV show version of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth.
Where to Stay When Visiting Chatsworth House
If you’re visiting Chatsworth House on a day trip from York, consider staying somewhere that’s walking distance from the York Train Station.
Recommended Hotels in York:
- Number 34 Bed and Breakfast — where I stayed on a second visit to York
- The Grand York
- The Judge’s Lodgings
- Abbey Guest House
If you’re visiting Chatsworth House on a day trip from London, consider staying somewhere that’s either within walking distance to St Pancras International Station, which is by Kings Cross Train Station, or walking distance to a tube station that goes to Kings Cross.
Recommended Hotels in London:
- The Caesar Hotel (where we stayed, close to Paddington Station)
- Melia White House (close to Kings Cross Station)
- London Marriott Hotel County Hall (close to Waterloo Train Station, with views of Big Ben and London eye)
- Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (close to Waterloo Train Station, with views of Big Ben and London eye)
- The Wellington Hotel Waterloo (close to Waterloo Train Station)
If you decide to stay the night near Chatsworth House, I’d suggest booking accommodations in Bakewell, the closest town.
I stayed at the Bagshaw Lodge in Bakewell on my second trip to Chatsworth House, and I thought the location was so convenient. Plus, it was nice to finally explore charming Bakewell.
Recommended Hotels in Bakewell:
How to Get to Chatsworth House by Train
Booking Tickets and Taking the Train from York to Sheffield Station
We took the train from York Station direct to Sheffield Station, which was about £20 per person round trip (with an open anytime day return). The ride was less than an hour.
How to book your train tickets: The easiest way to purchase your train tickets is via an app, such as Omio or Trainline, so you can search and compare transportation options easily.
How to save money on train tickets: If you will be doing a lot of train travel in the UK, consider getting a railcard for 33% off. I was traveling with my mom so we got the Two Together Railcard and saved quite a bit.
These train tickets were the only ones that I booked spontaneously (the day before our trip!) because I wasn’t sure if we’d want to go to Chatsworth House or spend more time in York. I’m SO glad we ended up visiting Chatsworth, as it was my favorite day of our England trip.
Booking Tickets and Taking the Train from London to Sheffield Station
To travel by train from London to Chatsworth House, you can take the East Midlands Railway train from St Pancras International Station direct to Sheffield Station. The ride takes less than 2 hours.
You can book your train tickets via the Trainline app. Consider getting a railcard for 33% off.
Taking a Taxi and/or Bus from Sheffield Station to Chatsworth House
Taxi: Outside the Sheffield train station, there are taxi cabs lined up and waiting to take passengers to their final destination. We asked a taxi cab to take us the rest of the way to Chatsworth House (about 15 miles, 30 minutes). If I remember correctly, the taxi fare was around £20-25 one way.
Shuttle Bus: There is a shuttle bus at Chatsworth House that can take you to/from Baslow.
Bus: There is a bus (the 218 Peak Line, see timetables) that goes straight from Sheffield Station to Chatsworth House (and back) in about an hour’s ride (for £5-7 per person). We tried to take this bus on the way back but we waited hours and it never showed up. We found out later that the bus had broken down that day.
Return Taxi: We used Pacman Travel taxi service on the return trip (once we realized the bus was not coming), and they got us to the Sheffield train station just in time!
It’s a good idea to have a plan B in case public transportation doesn’t work out. I’ll never forget us running to the train platform just before the train pulled in (luckily for us, it was delayed!).
Why Travel by Train to Chatsworth House?
Consider traveling by train from York to Chatsworth for this day trip if you are not familiar with driving a car in the UK or with driving on the left side of the road.
It’s pretty easy to get to Chatsworth House via train and taxi. It turned out to be a nice way to travel despite the few mishaps.
What to Pack for Travel to the UK
Favorite travel essentials
- I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
- I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized. It also fits nicely under the airplane seats.
- I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
- I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
Other Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to England
York
Northern England
Day Trips from London
- Day Trip from London to Jane Austen’s House in Chawton
- Day Trip to Windsor Castle from London
- Day Trip to Highclere Castle from London (Downton Abbey)
- Day Trip to the Cotswolds from Oxford or London
London
- How to See London on a Layover in London Heathrow Airport
- Big Ben Photo Spots: Where to Take the Best Photos of Big Ben
Bath
Thank you for this! Do you have any recommendations of where to stop for lunch? We are coming from Cave Dale, Peveril castle ruin.
Hi Erin! Thanks so much for reading.
The easiest thing would be to eat at Chatsworth as there are a few restaurants there and you can also bring in a picnic (like a meal deal) and eat on the lawn. It’s such a beautiful place and takes a long time to explore, so best to spend as much time there as possible.
Otherwise, you can eat in Bakewell — I ate at the Castle Inn and the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, and would recommend the latter more than the former.
Or there’s also a cafe and pub in Eyam, a historic village famous for quarantining itself during the 1665-1666 bubonic plague, which may be a “fun” stop if you’re interested in dark history.
Enjoy your trip!
Thank you! This was very helpful. I want to leave London early to visit Chatsworth but I was worried to rely on the buses only. Do they run pretty frequently or a taxi is usually always there?
Do you know of any tours services that offer private driver services from London to Chatsworth House where the driver will pick you up at your hotel in London, drive you to Chatsworth House and then drive you back to your hotel in London?
Hi Maurita! I don’t know of a private tour that goes specifically from London to Chatsworth, but you can try hiring a private driver for the day. Here’s one I found on Viator: https://viator.tp.st/i5n87oOG
Thanks this was so helpful!
You’re very welcome! 🙂
PAC man taxi certainly lived up to its name!! We had such an amazing day!!