Inside the recently-revamped hotel on Mr Darcy's estate
Chatsworth, in Derbyshire's Peak District, is like stepping into your favourite period drama.
The site has been used as a filming location for various period films – including Pemberley, the home of Mr Darcy, in Pride & Prejudice to English aristocrat Georgiana Spencer Cavendish's residence in The Duchess – and is every bit as spectacular as you would expect, with grand architecture, gold-plated window frames and a 28-metre high fountain all set against a rolling Capability-Brown-designed landscape.
And the best bit? You can stay on the estate.
The Cavendish hotel at Baslow is part of Chatsworth, owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire (custodians of Chatsworth for 17 generations), and is a short parkland stroll to the main house.
Although it's been in the family for generations, the boutique 28-bedroom hotel has recently been given a deluxe makeover by interior designer Nicola Harding.
The new scheme mixes old and new to spectacular effect, with a warming, luxurious colour palette, antique pieces and playful modern art – along with plenty of links to Chatsworth house and the Devonshire family, who were involved in the renovations.
With its emphasis on local produce and suppliers – many of the ingredients at the two restaurants are sourced from the estate, and the friendly staff have excellent local knowledge – it's also an ideal base to explore the Peak District.
We checked in to find out more...
The hotel
The hotel's recently revamped interiors are now a symphony of lush colours, warm textures and quirky touches; the lamp bases in the resturant, for example, were made from fire hydrants found in Chatsworth house's attics.
Nicola's brief was to link the Cavendish with its neighbour Chatsworth, one of the UK's most impressive stately homes, and add more personal touches to the property.
Lady Burlington, one of the estate's current custodians, was involved in the renovations and the family helped to source furniture and accessories from Chatsworth – so expect to see black-and-white family photographs of the Devonshires on the wall, and materials like 17th-century Mandale fossil limestone that are also used throughout Chatsworth house on the hotel's tabletops and mantelpieces.
It never feels overly grand, however – the atmosphere is homely and welcoming whilst always maintaining a level of luxury and opulence.
The rooms
The Cavendish's 28 bedrooms each feature decor that tastefully combines tradition with fun modern touches – expect elegant patterned wallpaper, lush fabrics and vintage pieces peppered with playful art. The real highlight of the rooms were the rolling green views out of the window, though; mine offered a direct view of Chatsworth house through the trees, and spectacular sunsets.
Beds are roomy and comfortable, with silky-soft linen, and you'll find a lovely selection of Chatsworth toiletries in the bathrooms.
Food & drink
When it comes to dining, choose between the laid-back casual Garden Room restaurant, drenched with light and offering spectacular views, or the more formal Gallery restaurant, bedecked with opulent fabrics and exquisite artwork.
Food at both is delicious, with a seasonal menu drawn from the estate's produce. Chefs collaborate with Chatsworth's head gardener, Mick Jones, as part of their field-to-fork ethos – during our stay we enjoyed fresh beetroot and apples from Chatsworth's kitchen garden, and succulent Hereford beef reared on the estate.
Sommelier Stuart Bond is on hand to offer expert wine recommendations and pairings, with many drawn from the estate's own grapes. We also visited head chef Joe Bains at the Cavendish's "kitchen table", located inside the professional kitchen. Enjoying a meal with this unique behind-the-scenes perspective of its preparation would make for a special dining experience for any food connoisseurs.
Things to do
Wander out of the hotel's back door and you're a 15-minute parkland stroll to Chatsworth house, one of the UK's finest stately homes and setting for many iconic period dramas like Pride & Prejudice.
Sadly we didn't spot Mr Darcy on our visit (although our knowledgable guide was called Mr Bennett, coincidentally!), but the house does feature opulent state rooms, art from Rembrandt to Damien Hirst and a changing programme of exhibitions, with Christmas at Chatsworth an annual highlight. There's also an annual Christmas market from 9 November to 1 December if you fancy a festive staycation.
Tour the kitchen gardens and explore the grounds' impressive fountain, alpine rockery and hedgerow maze as part of your entry to the main house.
The Peak District is, of course, renowned for its walking too, so there's no shortage of hiking options to choose from. Baslow Edge, near the Cavendish, is a particularly scenic point with rugged views and grazing Highland cows.
And best of all, even if the weather isn't playing ball, you can hunker down and enjoy beautiful Peak District views from the comfort of the hotel – making this the perfect autumn or winter staycation, whatever the weather.
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