Heatwave reveals Chatsworth House garden hidden for 300 years

Emily Cleary
Updated ·2-min read

Watch: Heatwave reveals British garden hidden for 300 years

These stunning aerial pictures show the outline of an elaborate garden at the historic Chatsworth House which had lain hidden for 300 years.

The perfectly symmetrical formal garden was designed in 1699 for the 1st Duke of Devonshire at the Derbyshire stately home.

Parched ground - as a result of last week's record-breaking heatwave - has now uncovered traces of the paths for the first time.

The ‘Great Parterre’ European design only flourished for 30 years before being grassed over when other styles became fashionable in the early 18th century.

Extreme heat has parched grass which lies over the ancient paths at Chatsworth House (SWNS)
Extreme heat has parched grass which lies over the ancient paths at Chatsworth House. (SWNS)
The European style formal garden, known as a Great Parterre, was designed in 1699 for the 1st Duke of Devonshire, but grassed over just 30 years later (SWNS)
The European style formal garden, known as a Great Parterre, was designed in 1699 for the 1st Duke of Devonshire, but grassed over just 30 years later (SWNS)

However, following 40C temperatures, the sun-parched shorter roots of the grass which was laid over the top to reveal evidence of the original garden.

They featured an ornamental arrangement of colourful flowerbeds and a series of intricate paths leading up to the rear of the main house.

Steve Porter, Head of Gardens and Landscape at Chatsworth House, said: “We can clearly see the intricate patterns of the historic garden at the moment.

An historic image of Chatsworth house showing the gardens as they were (SWNS)
A historic image of Chatsworth House showing the gardens as they were (SWNS)

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“The current heatwave is causing us issues elsewhere in the garden but here it has revealed a hidden gem not enjoyed properly for nearly 300 years.

“We knew it was there but of course it’s normally a green lawn so everything is hidden.

Traces of elaborate historic gardens have been revealed at Chatsworth House due to the heatwave (SWNS)
Traces of elaborate historic gardens have been revealed at Chatsworth House due to the heatwave (SWNS)

“It is only revealed during periods of extreme heat, so climate change may make that more frequent in the years ahead.

“It will disappear again when temperatures drop and we get some rain but in the meantime it’s wonderful to get a glimpse back into the past.”

The Great Parterre measured 473ft by 227ft and was intended to provide a suitable setting for the 1st Duke of Devonshire’s newly completed South Front of the house.

Home to the Devonshire family for 16 Generations, the historical garden now makes up the south lawn, part of the 105-acre garden at Chatsworth House.

The house is now a popular tourist destination for people from Yorkshire and Derbyshire.