CHATSWORTH GARDENS

It was late June but it felt like September as we roamed around Chatsworth. Dark clouds would roll along, followed by bits of bright blue skies, and a light breeze every now and then.  No rain, so no need to stash an umbrella in the bag. Bliss.

One of the nice things about Chatsworth is that you don't have to follow a tour guide throughout the estate.  No bunched up groups smacking into each other.  You can speed walk through, stop when you've found something interesting, or dreamily walk along pretending to live there.  We would be the latter.


                      Speaking of living there, this is the family's private entrance to Chatsworth.


                                             Note the topiaries at the top of the steps.



Let's roam around a bit.  The gardens at Chatsworth continue to evolve but the two most famous of the landscape architects are Lancelot "Capability" Brown (who designed most of the open parkland) and Joseph Paxton, who is probably the best remembered of the long list of rock star gardeners.

       
                                                                 The Cascade House
                                                  On a warm day you can give your toes a dip


                                                                       Peonies!


   
                                                             The Cottage Garden



                             She was my favorite sculpture standing guard along the hedge row


             
                                                                    The Rockery
                                                          Designed by Joseph Paxton



                                                The Emperor Fountain and Canal Pond
                                                     Also designed by Joseph Paxton


                                                      Rose gardens at the Orangery



                                    Hmmm,  interesting.  Wouldn't want it in my garden, though.


                                                                        West Parterre    

                                     
                                                                Oh, what's this?


                                                     Let's take an ice cream break
                       

                                                        So fun!  Thanks for stopping by.