Undoubtedly, the Chatsworth Estate, which includes the park, garden and house, is rightly one of the jewels in the crown of Derbyshire and the Peak District.
A visit to this ‘wonder of the peak’ is a memorable experience whatever the season. However, one of the best times of the year to visit is early spring, when the gardens are host to arguably the best display of daffodils in the county.
I had the good fortune of choosing a perfect spring day with an abundance of sunshine to capture the images shared here.
I arrived early at Chatsworth to be greeted with a low morning sun - the conditions a photographer’s dream. I hope you enjoy looking at these as much as I did taking them.
Emperor Fountain and Canal Pond
Most will have seen this classic photograph of the main lake (Canal Pond) and Emperor Fountain in Chatsworth Gardens before.
In early spring, the foreground of brightly coloured daffodils on the grassy bank adds a wonderful touch to this photograph and the appearance of a small rainbow in the spray from the fountain is a finishing touch that completes this iconic image.
Woodlands around the garden
Wander around the woodland areas of the gardens and you are treated to a superb display of daffodils.
These hardy flowers create a visually impressive carpet that covers the floor of the woods and makes a short walk in the gardens a wonderful experience.
Grotto House
Again, in spring the Grotto House overlooking the pond in this part of the gardens is a great place to enjoy the seasonal flowers.
Chatsworth Park, bridge and River Derwent
From the edge of the gardens this view of Chatsworth Park, with its famous bridge and the River Derwent, opens up.
Known as Three Arch Bridge, the span carries the main road into Chatsworth House. It was built between 1759 to 1761 and was designed by James Paine, an architect responsible for creating a number of features in the estate around that time.
Chatsworth House from the gardens
The much-celebrated house, viewed from the adjacent gardens and benefiting from a beautiful display of yellow and white daffodils.
The year 2018 saw the completion of the largest renovation project in the estate for some 200 years at a cost of circa £32m, and a duration period of about ten years.
