Chatsworth House at Christmas: Countdown begins as stately home transformed into The Palace of Advent

“It is a mammoth project and it does take all year,” she says. “I have what I like to call a day job as a textile conservator looking after the collection but there won’t be a day in the year when I’m not doing something for Christmas.”

This year the historic country house has been turned into an advent palace. But where did the idea come from?

“Chatsworth has a nickname of Palace of the Peaks so that was in my head. I noticed the south façade has 24 windows so I thought we could turn Chatsworth into a kind of advent calendar.”

As well as 24 festive-themed rooms, there’s a Father Christmas workshop and outside in the garden an illuminated light and sound trail culminates in an animated light show that transforms the house into a giant advent calendar.

Created by Derbyshire-based digital artists Illuminos, the light installation animates 24 festive scenes emerging from the windows on the south side of the house.

Building on Chatsworth’s long-standing role as a place of art and creativity, the design team has worked with contemporary artists to create new works for the Christmas experience, including a large-scale paper artwork by artist Bethan Maddocks.

One of the many highlights in the house is a glittering Christmas tree brooch forest featuring 2,000 brooches from the extensive Guinness World Record-breaking collection of Adam Wide.

It is, as Susie says, a big “celebratory” event. “Christmas is about making memories and sharing them with people. They might be complete strangers but it’s sharing an experience that you’ll remember for years to come and I think that’s really magical and powerful.”

The Palace of Advent runs until January 7. Pre-booking is essential. For more details and ticket prices visit Christmas at Chatsworth.