Four walkers gathered outside Church on the 2nd March on a clear, sunny afternoon. There was free parking at Chatsworth due to the house being closed, so we decided to start our walk from their main car park. The fine weather and free parking had brought everybody out so there were few parking spaces available. Once we found one we consumed our packed lunch before starting the walk.
Leaving our cars, we walked through the car park, away from the house passing Queen Mary’s Bower. This is a remnant of the 16th Century gardens that surrounded the house. Tradition holds that it was built in the 1570s when Mary Queen of Scots was held prisoner at Chatsworth to provide her with a raised exercise area but there is no evidence for this.
Continuing down the main drive we crossed the River Derwent on James Paine’s bridge, completed in 1761 then we crossed the main road through Chatsworth Park and entered the village of Edensor. The village consists of an eccentric mixture of different house styles, from Tudor to Norman, from Swiss-style cottages to Italian-style villas and some impressive, ornamental chimney pots. The original village of Edensor was closer to Chatsworth House, but William Cavendish did not like the view of it so it was demolished between 1838 and 1842 and the present village built by Sir Joseph Paxton.
On our left we walked past Edensor church, St Peter’s, which was rebuilt in 1867 by Sir George Gilbert Scott.
The churchyard holds the resting place of Kathleen Agnes Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington (née Kennedy), and sister of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. We climbed steadily through the village, pausing to admire the cakes and preserves for sale on a small stall at the side of the road. A wonderful display of snowdrops and celandine at the side of one of the houses gave us another excuse for a rest and time to listen to the song of a blackbird.
We walked past the last house in Edensor and continued up the stony lane which then became a rutted track. We had to step aside to let a car pass us then a number of off-road motorbikes roaring past us in both directions. After ¾ mile we reached a minor road which we followed for ½ mile, enjoying the views across to Hassop before turning onto a track.
We were now starting to descend. On our left we skirted the so called ‘Moatless Plantation’ then approached a large pond. We were now crossing Calton Pastures but could see neither sheep nor wildlife. Soon we approached Russian Cottage.
The cottage is based on a model of a Russian farm given to the 6th Duke of Devonshire by the brother of Tsar Nicholas of Russia and is now a holiday let.
Continuing through Chatsworth Park we aimed for the spire of Edensor Church. On our right we spied a large herd of deer then a wonderful view of Chatsworth House. On reaching Edensor we descended down some stone steps before turning right and retracing our route back through the village, crossing the main road and returning to our cars.
If anyone wishes to join our small friendly group meet us outside church at 2:30pm on Sunday 6th April. This is a later start than usual because of the APCM in church after the Sunday service. You will be made very welcome.
Steve Franks & Ev Lowe