Friday, March 9, 2012

Chatsworth Reopens this Weekend after Thorough Cleaning

Going, going, gone!
On 11 March Chatsworth will reopen to begin the 2012 tourist season after extensive restorations.  While Chatsworth has seen many restorations and alterations over the years this £14m project strives to bring the great house back to how it looked when Georgiana's son, Hart lived there in the early 19th century.  The most breath-taking aspect of the project is the restoration of the limescale facade, making the house lighter, brighter, and dare I say, more glorious?  I encourage you to check it out here in the BBC video.

The new, improved facade

Aside from the facade, gilded flames have been added to the roof.  Apparently all those urn sculptures up there were supposed to look like they had eternal flames springing out of them.  It just leaves one to wonder when those flames began disappearing!

One of the other remarkable undertakings has to do with Hart's sculpture gallery.  You may remember this amazing collection from Pride and Prejudice 2005 when Lizzie is viewing marble sculptures and comes across a bust of Mr Darcy.  These have now all been rearranged in the way Hart originally had them.

The new transformation lets guests see just how the 6th Duke lived.  Although Georgiana fans may be disappointed that the restoration didn't aim for just a teensy bit earlier to base the remodeling on, we have to remember Chatsworth was Hart's baby!  Georgiana's fingerprints were on Devonshire House in London which was unfortunately torn down.  Sadly, she did not leave as much of a mark on Chatsworth as her son- who did many wonderful things to the house while preserving its heritage.  The house reopens this Sunday and will be sure to be an even more splendid outing than before- as hard as that is to believe!

10 comments:

  1. The building is BLINDING. I did love the statues, especially the veiled lady, how on earth did they DO that!?

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  3. I love Chatsworth as well as Bakewell and Darbyshire. I had the pleasure of visiting last June, but now that the construction is finished I am eager to return.

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  5. Wow! I have to get to England to see this in person!

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  6. It's good news that the cladding has finally been removed; I'm not too keen on the modern art installations that are ruining some of the views of the House I've seen posted online though.

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  7. I was disapointed with Chatsworth. I thought there could have been history of the cavendish's; great artwork and lovely gardens, yet hardly any information about them! It's the kind of place for pensioner's to enjoy. Didn't think much of the interior rooms. So i beleive its way too expensive.

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  8. I'm sorry it didn't meet expectations! I am overdue for a visit so I am curious as to how it looks since I last visited.

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