The Peak District And A Surprise!! 5 September 2014

We woke up having had a good night's sleep and ready for the day.  We went down to breakfast of which Mick prepared the meal to our liking.  That was very nice.  We had a nice conversation with him and he gave us pointers for going into the Peak District.  The Peak District is England's mountainous region.

Our bathroom and view out the window.

We packed up, got into the car, and started out on our journey, going just as Mick suggested.  At one point in the road, we followed his directions to the right and ended up on top of a hill with a beautiful view of Glossop below.  We then back tracked to the main road and continued our journey to Chatsworth House, situated in the Peak District.  Sister Curley strongly suggested we visit it as it is very lovely.

Top left shows Manchester skyline off in the distance.  We had a very hazy day which made picture taking not the best.  The other photos are of Glossop and hills of heather.

The drive through the Pennine mountain range was fascinating.  These are England's mountains, not very high, but very very beautiful.  They are large rolling mountains, some covered in heather, some in rugged rock faces, and other in green green fields and meadows.  Some places the trees are thick like a forest and other places they are spread out leaving ample room for livestock grazing, picnicking, hiking, and driving about.

I couldn't resist the "Farrar" name in the top photo.  The other photos are of Ladybower Reservoir.  We came across the bridge into the area and then took photos looking back.  You can see the stone fenced fields and placid water.

On into the Peak District we traveled going into Derbyshire.  The tom tom was taking us to Chatsworth House but every now and then we wondered if we were headed in the right direction.

We stopped in a little village at a cottage where the man and woman were in the garden talking to a delivery man.  The man left and we posed our question as to where Chatsworth House was.  The couple appear to be in their 80's or so and he piped right up:  "You going to Chatsworth House are you?  Well, it is expensive!"
She added:  "But it is worth it.  It is very beautiful."

They were very kind and gave us directions.  At the end of the conversation she stated:  "You are from America aren't you."  We replied in the affirmative and he said:  "I remember during the war we got boxes of food from the Americans.  We like you.  In fact, we are going there in October on holiday."  We bade each other good bye and thanked them for their help and were on our way.

We saw a sign for Chatsworth Farm and Shop, so we took the road off to the right.  We were not up it very far when we arrived.  It is a lovely spot looking off into the valley and verdant fields and lawns below.  The flowers were beautiful and bees were buzzing all around.

We asked questions as to where the house was and we were told to go back out to the main road and carry on and the house would be on the left.

We were back on the main road and watching the signs and then saw the one to Chatsworth House off to the left.  Dad took the turn and we were on a road off into the country, it seemed.  We still could not see a house and were watching attentively.  Then, it appeared ahead and to the right.  I looked and couldn't quite believe what I was seeing and thought to myself:  "That looks just like Pemberly, Mr. Darcy's house in Pride And Prejudice!  Is it?"  There was no lake in front of it, but it looked just like Pemberly!

I was in awe as we continued following the road past the house, up the left side, and into the car park.    Then into view appeared a huge water fountain shooting way up into the air to the right of the house.

We did not see the fountain at first due to the trees here and there.

We parked the car, got our things together, and headed for the grounds.  Everything was so neat, orderly, and sharp.  It looked more like a mansion than a house to me!  We purchased tickets at £18 each and began our own walk-through tour of the house.

The first room we entered was the massive entry hall and I was blown away as I saw the black and white checkered floor just like Pemberly!  The furnishings were different, but that floor was unmistakable.

It was amazing to see all that there was to see.  The house is built in a square with a courtyard in the middle, only it is plain.  I guess it is not used for anything.

Top Picture:  I was able to walk out the door and take the photo.
Bottom Picture:  From the opposite side and looking through a partially opened window from the second floor back to the side I took the photo out of from the doorway.

Going up the staircase felt like going on a journey!  At the top it goes to the right and then to the left again before getting to the next floor.

Murals graced the walls and ceilings of many of the large rooms and stately halls.  During the war, one room was used as a hospital ward for the soldiers.  There were many beautiful vessels, chests, and bowls, as well as inlaid tables and counters.

Chatsworth House is home to the Cavendish family since 1549, being the seat of the Duke of Devonshire.  The 12th Duke lives there at present.  The house has changed in size over the centuries and at present has 126 rooms.  We did not tour all of them, obviously; that would have taken a week, I sure!

The dome is at the top of the staircase.

Some standing guests had their own nameplate, and rooms fitted for their needs.

The library was massive with a very extensive collection from floor to ceiling.  As we were passing through, across from this bookcase was an alcove and when I looked in, I began to think:  "It's beginning to look a lot like Pemberley!  Everywhere I look!  From the house upon the lane, the checkered floor is framed, to sculptures, walls and grounds that look the same!"  The veiled Vestal Virgin sculpture was in the Sculpture Gallery in the movie.

A gorgeous dining room!  The sleigh was sitting on the balcony and child size in dimensions.  More bedrooms in all their lavish style and design.  We found your sleigh bed, Jared!

Chandeliers hung in many of the rooms; more color-themed bedrooms, and lovely artwork and sculptures.

A picture of the fountain from an open window.  This is the side of the house you see in the movie with neatly trimmed lush lawns and gardens.   Statues graced the grounds and here is Dad with his beauty.  One hall and adjoining rooms were dedicated to the memory of family members and those in service at Chatsworth House who served in World War I.  This poem was inscribed on one of the walls.

An inlaid table top.  Note the chamber pot in the night table.  The family were hunters with their guns and racks on display.

The sculpture Gallery sealed the deal with this being Pemberley!  When we got to the hotel, Dad went Online and sure enough, Chatsworth House was used to film Pemberley.  It was quite the adventure discovering this as we visited and toured the house.