The seat of the Duke of Devonshire, Chatsworth House is reputed to be the most visited stately home in England, with over 300,000 people visiting the gardens alone. Certainly when we were there (on Monday) the cars just kept coming and coming. However most of those people probably don’t realise that, between 1838 and 1842, the village that stood between it and the river Derwent below was moved out of site to the other side of the river. Apparently this was because it spoilt the view for the then Duke. This is the current village of Edensor (pronounced Ensor).
The current residents of Edensor are probably quite happy. Not only do they escape the hoards, but the village sits quietly behind what appears to be a private entrance gate and the layout of the village and the buildings were individually designed by Sir Joseph Paxton and John Robertson. Most are now listed buildings.
The church of St Peter’s is also worth a mention for at least two reasons. Firstly, it was extended in the 1860’s by the renowned Sir George Gilbert Scott and, secondly, in the churchyard are buried Sir Joseph Paxton himself and Kathleen Kennedy, (sister of US President, John F Kennedy), who was married to the eldest son of the 10th Duke of Devonshire.
From there my daughter Sarah, her boyfriend Karl and I walked to the equally busy town of Bakewell (well, it was Market Day). Here a debate rages as to whether their famous and original Bakewell Pudding is better or tastier than the more recently evolved Bakewell Tart. Based on a random sample of 3, and our first experience of the Pudding, we all prefer the Tart. (Sorry Bakewell !)
Alittlebitoutoffocus 