Chatsworth re-opens its gardens to the public – but with one catch

The grounds at the Derbyshire estate have bloomed since the last time they were seen by the general public in March.

Its gardens will be open between 10.30am and 6pm but for pre-booked visits only, while select shops and food-to-go will gradually return in a phased re-opening.

The house and farmyard remain closed to visitors until further notice, meanwhile.

Gardeners at the estate, which is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, have been working throughout the coronavirus lockdown on a reduced workforce.

In the near-three months since its closure to tourists, blood, sweat and tears have been poured into the upkeep of Chatsworth’s gardens.

Working on a reduced workforce of ten, the core gardening team has been helped by the Duke and Duchess and their daughter-in-law, Lady Burlington, in a two-month planting programme.

“The Duke has been in every day cutting tulips to give to staff, and he and the Duchess have helped with planting and watering,” said Head of Gardens & Landscape, Steve Porter.

Thousands of new plants including huge drifts of Camissa and Candelabra Primula have filled four open glades. At the same time, Laura Ellen Bacon has built a monumental sculptural installation, Natural Course, as a new centrepiece.

Head of visitor experience, Sally Ambrose, said: “It’s great to be able to welcome back visitors, especially as the garden has such a wonderful new sculpture and a huge new planting that delivers a riot of colour.”