Summary : Country house constructed 1687-9 by William Talman, with additions including the East front of 1689-91 by Talman, west front 1700-03, north front 1705-7 by Thomas Archer. The house was built for the first Duke of Devonshire. Alterations and additions 1756-60 by James Paine, mostly replaced 1820-40 by Jeffrey Wyatt. The house is thought to sit on the site, and follow the basic plan, of an earlier house for Bess of Hardwick, then married into the Cavendish family that still inhabit the estate today. |
More information : [SK 260701] Chatsworth House [T.I.] (1) Chatsworth is one of the three most impressive mansions in the county. The two main building periods are 1687-1707 and 1820-42. There are no visible remains of an earlier, Elizabethan house, c.1557, on the same site. (2) A perfectly preserved example of the period. (3) I Chatsworth House. The present vast mansion was begun in 1687 and continued during the C.18 and early part of C.19. The first architect was William Talman and Wren was consulted a few years later. The early C.19 extensions are due to Sir Jeffrey Wyatville. The chapel is particularly good with its original fittings and scheme of decoration. See Country Life, vol.XLIII, 12, 35, 60, 8 84 and Derbyshire by N. Pevsner pp. 81-93 Chatsworth House originated with the south wing build by William Talman in 1687-89 for the first Duke of Devonshire. Talman also constructed the east front in 1689-91, although the west and north fronts were constructed by Thomas Archer in 1700-3 and 1705-7 respectively. It is thought to retain the basic plan of an earlier house on the site, built for Bess of Hardwick who at the time was married into the Cavendish family, who continue to own and run the estate. Local sandstone ashlar is the main building material and the roofs are hidden behind parapets. The house is a complex mix of Baroque and Neo-classical styles with Ionic, Corinthian and Doric elements as well as balustraded parapets, friezes and elaborate pediments. Alterations were carried out in 1756-60 by James Paine and from 1820-42 by Jeffrey Wyatt.
Chatsworth House sits in extensive parkland and formal gardens laid out by George London and Henry Wise. Both the house and gardens are open to visitors. (4; 6)
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