Chatsworth House - also Known as Pemberly

 I am a fan of Jane Austin and love “Pride and Prejudice”.  So when I found out the enormous home and gardens used in the most recent “Pride and Prejudice” was not too far from Lindsey I knew I wanted to go.  Lindsey is also a fan and had been wanting to go too, so yesterday we made it happen.

Chatsworth House is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and has been their family home since the 15th century.  The current Duke and Duchess are the 12th Duke and Duchess.

This house is huge and has been beautifully maintained.  

Waiting to begin our tour

A bust of Mr. Darcy from the movie

The woodwork in this room is amazing 

One of many staircases 

The center courtyard 

This is the back of the house from the gardens 

The date on this tapestry is 1440

Love this floor

Amazing ceilings!

And then you finish with the house and the gardens are unbelievable!  The gardens are over 100 acres and include a greenhouse, ponds, a rose garden, a grotto, a cascade fountain, kitchen gardens, a stream, numerous lawns, a rock garden, a maze and fountains.  It’s amazing!

The Stables which now house shops and a restaurant 

Cascading Fountains 

The Maze

A hunting tower high on a hill

The entrance to the maze

This house is in an area called The Peaks District.  The hills and valleys are absolutely gorgeous.  One of the most beautiful areas I have seen yet.

There are 1,822 acres of lawn and gardens so it’s massive.

On our way home we stopped in a charming little town for dinner outside at a wonderful Italian restaurant.  The food and service was excellent!

Antipasto plate

Spicy Italian Meatballs 

Perusing the menu

Pork Medallions with cabbage and roasted potatoes - delicious!

This beautiful old church was right in front of us as we ate dinner.

When you travel someplace new be sure and get out and check out hidden little towns and places.  They really are the best!

Bury St Edmunds

 When Lindsey found out she was moving to England she took a trip in advance to check out towns close to the base to see where she wanted to live.  She fell in love with Bury St Edmunds and we can see why!  

Bury St Edmunds is called “a jewel in the Crown of Suffolk”.  With gorgeous Medieval architecture, beautiful Georgian squares, the stunning St Edmundsbury Cathedral, and the ruins of an 11th century Benedictine monastery, it has over 1000 years to explore!

The Abbey of St Edmund was founded in 1020 and was one of the richest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England.  Extensive remains survive today.

The Magna Charta was signed here in 1214

The Abbey Gardens were created in 1831and have won numerous awards through the years.

For over 1000 years the site of Suffolk’s Cathedral has been a place of worship and pilgrimage.  St James church was built within the precincts of the Abbey and became a cathedral in 1914.

The ceilings are amazing!

Magnificent pipe organ

Another amazing ceiling

And another ceiling

After our tour we had tea and dessert waffles at an adorable place right beside the Abbey Gardens.

Nutella hot chocolate 

Adorable tea pots and cups

Cute little teaspoons 

To end our night Lindsey treated us to dinner at one of her favorite places right down from her house - Petrus Wine Bar.  It was delicious!

The ivy covered building is The Angel Hotel and Charles Dickens stayed here.  Lindsey also stayed here when she came to check it out.

We have come to love Bury and definitely see why Lindsey chose here to live.