The famous waterworks include the 300-year-old Cascade, the Willow Tree Fountain and the impressive gravity-fed Emperor Fountain.
As well as the Maze, the Rockery and the Rose, Cottage and Kitchen Gardens, there are also over five miles of walks with rare trees, shrubs, streams and ponds to discover.
Today, the garden is managed by a team of 20 gardeners, 3 trainees and 50 volunteers.
Early garden (1549–1811)
The house and garden were first constructed by Sir William Cavendish and Bess of Hardwick in 1555. The Elizabethan garden was much smaller than the modern garden is now.
6th Duke (1811–1858) and Joseph Paxton
In 1811, the 6th Duke inherited a garden which had been sadly neglected by his father. The restoration, on a very grand scale, was not immediate and 15 years were to pass before Paxton was appointed as head gardener.
Modern garden (1858–present)
The 7th and 8th Dukes made few changes, tending to maintain rather than develop the garden. The 6th Duke had created something extraordinary, but at immense cost, and so the subsequent Dukes were left to pay his debts.
