The Garden at Chatsworth

The Duchess Of Devonshire

ISBN 10: 0670891096 / ISBN 13: 9780670891092

Published by Viking Studio, 2000

About this Item

Book is in Near fine condition with a near fine jacket. Signed by the Duchess of Devonshir 192pp with colour photographs.

Seller Inventory # 015679

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Garden at Chatsworth
• Publisher: Viking Studio
• Publication Date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0670891096
• ISBN 13: 9780670891092
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis

Four hundred years in the making, the garden at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, seat of the dukes of Devonshire, is a magnet for millions--from Jane Austen, who is rumored to have enshrined it in Pride and Prejudice , to today's visitors from all corners of the globe. In The Garden at Chatsworth the duchess herself tells the story of its many parts with a light, urbane touch that belies her formidable historical and horticultural knowledge. Magnificent color photographs by Gary Rogers, authoritative text, and endpaper maps bring alive the garden's 105 acres--from statuary to topiary, from fountains to floral vistas.

Review

One hundred and five acres in extent, over four hundred years in the making, visited by hundreds of thousands of guests all year, every year, the gardens of the ducal house of Chatsworth are among the most famous and celebrated in the world. But with such beauty and fame come a terrific responsibility, and not a few horticultural headaches. As the Duchess puts it: the gardens are "an intimidating place to go out with a trowel". Despite her inhibitions, the Duchess of Devonshire has been an admired and energetic chatelaine of Chatsworth since she first came to these Derbyshire gardens as a young wife in the 1930s. Indeed she probably now knows the gardens, from the Laburnum walk to the famous Cascade to the Crinkle-Crankle Hedge, better than anyone--and is supremely qualified to write their history.

The anecdotes come thick, fast and informative. There are descriptions of Doctor Johnson, a beloved guest, eating "much and nastily" (they still named a path after him); an account of the Tsar of Russia stooping, socially and literally, to plant a Sweet Chestnut tree; and the terrible day after the First World War when, as an economy measure, the great glasshouses built by Joseph Paxton (of Crystal Palace fame) were blown- up by Paxton's very own grandson. The author is, of course, the sister of Nancy Mitford, famed author of The Pursuit of Love. It is perhaps unsurprising therefore that she shares the family gene for rarefied gossip and aristo-comedy. What is more surprising is her gift for relaying her love and enthusiasm in such engaging tones. A pleasure. --Sean Thomas