Video: Duke and Duchess of Devonshire throw open doors for Chatsworth Country Fair

The annual show, which celebrates rural pursuits, is held in the grounds of the couple’s Chatsworth House, on the edge of the Peak District, and a series of attractions are lined up.

Organisers said the fair was the largest of its kind in England and early estimates suggested around 25,000 people attended.

Show organiser Christopher Lloyd-Owen said: “Friday is always our more quiet day but it has been fantastic and, we are expecting much bigger crowds at the weekend.

“The weather has been perfect, and when you consider how many other events have fallen foul of that this year everybody involved and businesses in the area are breathing a sigh of relief.”

Yorkshire chef James Martin, currently on screen as presenter of BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, will be on stage throughout Sunday (Sept 2)and other attractions include a displays from the Red Arrows.

The fair will be followed by the sculpture exhibition Beyond Limits, which opens in the garden on Friday and focuses on the work of Barry Flanagan who is famous for his giant bronze hares.