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EDENSOR

THE FEATURE

The small estate village of Edensor, pronounced ‘Ensor’, is set in one of the most beautiful locations in the country in parkland owned by the Devonshire family, whose stately home at Chatsworth House is only five minutes walk away. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the village has been re-sited since then. Originally it lay between the river and the road through the Park, when the houses were set out in a straggling line down to the Derwent.

This did not appeal to the fourth Duke of Devonshire who having spent considerable money and effort improving the House, redesigning the gardens and building a grand new bridge over the river, decided to take down those houses visible from the House. The tenants were re-housed in the nearby estate villages of Pilsley and Beeley. The sixth Duke completed the dismantling of the old village and built the present one.

One house and garden on the riverside of the road, surrounded by a stone wall, still remains. Spared it is believed, because the tenant, an elderly man, did not want to move and the duke in an act of kindness allowed him to stay. Under the brow of the hill it was not visible from the House.

Joseph Paxton, who remodelled and landscaped the gardens at Chatsworth, chose the site for the new village, but it was John Robertson a relatively unknown architect from Derby who provided the designs. At that time aspiring young architects such as Robertson would prepare a book of house plans as part of their training.

It is thought that Robertson approached the Duke to show him the plans when he was busy with other matters and that after quickly looking through them he could not make up his mind and chose all the different styles in the book. The designs ranging from Norman to Jacobean, Swiss-style to Italian villas are all here at Edensor. A few of the old houses remained virtually untouched including parts of the old vicarage, two cottages overlooking the green and the old farmhouse which now houses the post office, shop and tea rooms.

Robertson retained the 14th century church, but only about 30 years after the completion of the model village it was replaced by a much larger one built by George Gilbert Scott. The new church with its graceful spire and spacious layout added to the status and importance of the village. A more recent addition that helps make the village more complete is the green, added in 1948 after the demolition of the school.

St Peter’s Church contains one of the finest monuments in the county. This commemorates Henry and William Cavendish, the sons of Bess of Hardwick, the latter son being the First Earl. In the chancel is a brass plaque which records the death of John Beaton, the loyal servant of Mary, Queen of Scots who was imprisoned at Chatsworth House during part of her period in captivity. Also in the church, in a glass case is a wreath of everlasting flowers sent by Queen Victoria to the funeral of Lord Frederick Cavendish, tragically killed in Ireland while on a peace mission. Joseph Paxton is buried in the churchyard in a grave of much grander scale than that of his master, the sixth Duke.

At the top of the churchyard is the grave of Kathleen Kennedy, the sister of the late President of the USA. She was the wife of the present Duke’s elder brother and heir to the Dukedom who was tragically killed in Belgium during the last war. Only four years later his wife was killed in an air crash.

In June, 1963, John F Kennedy, the President of the United States visited the grave -- five months before being assassinated –  on the way by helicopter to a meeting with the Prime Minister. This event is recalled by the Duchess of Devonshire in her book, ‘The House: a Portrait of Chatsworth’, when she describes the reaction of one resident of the village, ‘The wind from that machine blew my chickens away, and I haven’t seen them since’.

The architect, Sir Jeffery Wyatville was employed in designing the two gate lodges; one an Italianate villa, the other in complete contrast an English Lodge to mark the entrance to the park. Through the park gates on the right the lane in the village forks; Edensor Lane bearing right and Japp lane to the left. The old coach house and stables have been converted into comfortable flats for retired employees.

Edensor House, occupied for a time by the present Duke and Duchess, has been used to entertain royalty. Outside the park gates the handsome brick building was formerly an inn to serve travellers; villagers had to be content with a makeshift alehouse in one of the cottages. This inn later became Chatsworth Institute and is now occupied by Chatsworth Estate Offices in front is a bowling green and to the side a golf course. The old alehouse cottage still exists, as do the iron staples from where the inn sign hung.

EDENSOR TRAIL KEY:

1. Queen Mary's Bower.

2. Shop Tearooms.

3. The Green.

4. Stone House.

5. St Peter's Church.

6. English Gate Lodge.

7. Italianate Lodge.

8. Old Coach House Stables.

9. Edensor House.

10. Chatsworth Institute Institute/Estate Office.

11. Old Alehouse Cottage.

 

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PLACES OF SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE LOCALITY

Chatsworth House, Garden, Farmyard and Adventure Playground (Tel 01246 582204) one of the grandest stately homes in the country and the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Both the house and magnificent gardens are open to the public. For full details of Chatsworth House, click here.

Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop (Tel. 01246 583392) situated at Pilsley one and a half miles from Chatsworth House. Sells a fine selection of meat and dairy products. Open daily.

Peak Village (Tel. 01629 733433) is the Peak District’s first and only Factory Outlet Shopping Centre set in beautiful surroundings at Rowsley. Open daily.


REFRESHMENTS

The Devonshire Arms (Tel. 01629 733259) was formerly three separate cottages, before its conversion in 1747 to a coaching inn. It boasts some important patrons, as the writer Charles Dickens and King Edward VII both stayed at the inn. Bar meals are available daily and on Sundays a Victorian Breakfast can be consumed, subject to booking. Open for food seven days a week.

Edensor Shop and Tea Rooms (01246 582283) delicious home cooking is a feature at these attractive tea rooms situated inside, the post office and village shop. Since, the premises have been re-furbished there is now additional seating outside. Open daily except Mondays (not Bank Holidays) and Tuesdays.


CHATSWORTH HOUSE

Chatsworth, 'The Palace of the Peak' was named Britain's Best Stately Home in Period Living and Traditional Homes magazine's Best of British Awards 2004-2005. Over 200,000 votes were cast, when readers of the market leading magazine were asked to nominate the aspects of traditional British life that they love best.  For more information click below.

Chatsworth House


THE DISCOVER DERBYSHIRE AND THE PEAK DISTRICT GUIDE

 

Provides a wide range of features  with heritage trails and detailed countryside walks, through some of the most scenically attractive countryside in the UK.

 

1.  To return to the main site click the link below.

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EDENSOR WALK

A leisurely walk through beautiful parkland, where deer roam freely, with outstanding views of Chatsworth House.

The walk continues to the bridge over the Derwent leading to Chatsworth House and then takes a detour to visit Queen Mary’s Bower. Here, Mary Queen of Scots used to relax when she was held captive at Chatsworth. Click below for more information.

Edensor Walk


SPECIAL FEATURES

Chatsworth

Chatsworth Events

Farmyard and Adventure Playground

Beeley

Pilsley

All details on this page were correct at the time of publication, but changes may be made without notification.