More of our walk in Chatsworth House Gardens

We've been visiting Chatsworth Estate from time-to-time for many years and because of the vastness of the grounds and parkland there are areas that we haven't seen.  The hills, woods and parkland where there are ancient oaks seem timeless and yet many of the features have been managed and have changed over a period of time. Daughter D and I got an overview of the landscape as we sat and enjoyed our picnic lunch.  The visit was an opportunity to walk further than I usually do, but we rested in certain areas along the way .

From the vantage of where we sat by the 1st Duke's Water Cascade we could see across the park to the Chatsworth Estate church at Edensor.

The fountains and the water running down the shallow steps of the Cascade were a lot of fun for families who had been drawn to them on a warm Summer's day. Each series of steps in the Cascade is different so that the sound of the water changes as it falls.  The Pump Room behind the Temple controls the gravity-fed flow of water.  Apparently an aqueduct brings water from lakes in the woods into the garden.

We then followed the ridge path to a balcony located in the huge rock formations that had been installed there many years ago.  The viewing area overlooks the impressive Rockery Garden that had been designed by the talented head gardener and engineer, Joseph Paxton. 

Here is the same place from further down (when we eventually reached the lower slopes) taken from the area by the Round Pond.  You can just see the people on the viewing balcony.

The Rock Garden area was an ambitious project which was undertaken in collaboration with the 6th Duke.  Paxton accompanied the Duke on a Grand Tour of Europe and the Rockery is a reminder of their journey through the Alps.  Paxton invented a steam-powered machine to lift the quarried gritstone rocks into position.  Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Duke of Wellington visited Chatsworth in 1843 and the 6th Duke named three of the amazing rock formations after them. 

After the grandeur of the Rockery Gardens we came to The Maze and the adjoining garden areas planted on either side with either Summer and Autumn flowers such as dahlias or semi tropical trees and flowers. We walked up a flight of steps to look down on the maze and then from another bank we could see it from a different angle as well as The Hundred Steps Walk.

The Hundred Steps Walk

One of the Maze Gardens

With still so much to explore we didn't go into the maze although I did wander off into the woods and daughter D wondered where I had got to. The reason I was taking my time is because I needed to find a good foothold on some bumpy terrain.  I really should have stuck to a smoother path, but some sculptures, contemporary and old, had caught my attention!  More next time.  Thank you for looking and I hope you're having a good day.  I'm off to make a cake for a family get together later today.  Speak soon.

A walk in Cannon Hall grounds

It's three years since our last visit to Cannon Hall is a country house and museum near Barnsley, South Yorkshire which originally was the home of the Spencer family and later the Spencer-Stanhopes.  The museum, parkland and gardens are now owned and operated by Barnsley Borough Council. The parkland was landscaped in the 18th century and nearer to the house there's a Georgian walled garden, glasshouses rebuilt in the Victorian era and pleasure grounds, follies and many mature plants and trees.

We went there again yesterday afternoon, this time with our daughter, grandson and granddaughter and managed to find an entrance into the grounds where we could park near to the house and we went on a stroll through an area of woodland that leads to a pond. The rhododendrons and azaleas were out which made the walk at this time of the year very enjoyable. 

Cannon Hall - the south facade and terrace

The herbaceous borders - many plants are yet to flower.

The remains of the 18th century Pinery which was a greenhouse

especially built to grow pineapples and other exotic fruit.

entrance to the walled kitchen garden

the herb garden

gooseberry hedges

plants for sale - mostly tomatoes

the rhododendron walk

The area around the pond is called Fairyland. It was created by one of the owners of the house and designed in the romantic manner with stones and arches taken from old ruins.

A mill stone and a seat where vistas across the parkland can be enjoyed.  Visitors can walk across to the lakes that are currently being restored.

We walked back towards the house, the gift and farm shops.

After our visit to Cannon Hall we drove to the village of Cawthorne which is also closely associated with the Spencer-Stanhope family.