Event Details
Tuesday 19 May - sorry, sold out
Friday 11 September
10.30am - 12.30pm | £50 per person
Includes access to the House, Garden and Farmyard
Discover rare books and materials in this deep dive into Chatsworth’s archive of botanical treasures, followed by a special tour of the Chatsworth Glasshouse.
Learn more about the 6th Duke's head gardener, Joseph Paxton, and the plant hunters who sourced specimens from around the world.
In the Collections Study Room, you will get up close to 19th-century botanical specimens from the Chatsworth Garden, explore a selection of beautifully illustrated botanical books from the Chatsworth Library and discover more about the plants in the garden and the people who collected them through letters and diaries from the Chatsworth Archive.
In the glasshouses, our Garden Plant Collection and Learning Manager will share information about our historic plant collection, including giant water lilies, orchids, and the famous Cavendish banana plant.
Accessibility
Access to the Collections Study Room is step-free. There is a short walk up an incline to get to the glasshouses. There are small lips underfoot at the entrance to the glasshouses, but they are mostly accessible by wheelchair. Please email education@chatsworth.org if you have any questions about accessibility.
Venue and meeting point
Please meet at the lower garden gates at 10.20am for a 10.30 start. This event takes place in the Collections Study Room and Chatsworth Garden.
Tickets include Chatsworth House and Garden entry so you may explore at your own pace after the event.
An Introduction to Chatsworth in Seven Objects
12 May, 8 July & 14 October 2026
Devonshire Collection Curator Katherine Hardwick-Kulpa, selects seven significant objects from the Devonshire Collections that provide fascinating insight into Chatsworth's 500 year history.
Curator Tour: House of Stories
30 April, 25 June & 24 September
Join a guided tour of House of Stories led by exhibition curator Fran Baker.
Chatsworth's Botanical Treasures - Archives Session
19 May & 11 September
Delve into our archives and read the letters between the 6th Duke and Joseph Paxton, revealing the background to the transformation of the Chatsworth Garden.
Textile Tours
18 August & 13 October
Join our expert Textiles team for an overview of ongoing remedial and preventative conservation of the collection both on route and behind the scenes.
Stay With Us
With miles of walks on the estate and in the national park, as well as centuries of heritage, art and design to explore, Chatsworth and the Peak District are a dream destination for an unforgettable escape. Find a stay with us in a hotel, inn, cottage, or shepherd’s hut here.
