Chatsworth’s Grade I listed Stables is considered by many to be the grandest example of an 18th-century stable block in the UK.

Originally known as ‘The Great Stables’, it was designed by the architect James Paine (1717-1789) for William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire (1720 – 1764), and constructed between 1758 and 1763.  

Starting on 6 January, Chatsworth House Trust will begin an extensive programme of restoration on the west entrance to the Stables. The project will take at least 12 months to complete and encompasses exterior updates and renovation, ranging from the urgent structural repair and reroofing of the building’s distinctive clock tower to cleaning masonry, and removing 20th-century lead flashings to reveal Paine’s original Palladian-style stone plinths. 

The restoration is being funded by the Chatsworth House Trust charity with income generated from ticket sales, Gift Aid, and Friends and Patrons membership. We are grateful to our visitors and members for their valued support. Learn more about how you can support Chatsworth House Trust, here.

The History of 'The Great Stables'

‘The Great Stables’ formed part of the 4th Duke’s extensive remodelling of the outbuildings and grounds at Chatsworth. The work began just a year after he inherited the estate in 1755 and fulfilled the changes started by his father, also William Cavendish 3rd Duke of Devonshire (1698-1755).

His alterations included the removal of the original stables and offices located to the north-west of the house. The approach to the house was also changed; instead of coming from the south-east, a new road was constructed from Edensor to the west. The road passed over the River Derwent via a new three-arch bridge, also designed by James Paine and Grade I listed, and split off towards the stable block. This is the entrance most visitors still use to arrive at Chatsworth today.

The 4th Duke also enlisted the designer Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown to make significant changes to the garden, parkland and river course.

Paine's Stables

‘The Great Stables’ are built in four ranges that enclose a rectangular yard. The main entrance is through a central archway to the west.  Above the archway is a pediment displaying the Cavendish coat of arms, which was carved in stone by Henry Watson in 1765 and features real stag antlers. The arms are flanked by cornucopias and topped with a clock and bell turret, containing a timepiece by Joseph Kirk, in the form of a domed lantern with round arch openings on each of four sides.  There is a second arched entrance to the north.

The four ranges are decorated externally with recessed arcading of rusticated stonework, accented at each corner with a small tower with a shallow pitched roof above a pediment.

There were stalls for 80 horses (including carthorses) and a blacksmith’s shop. A fountain in the middle provided fresh water… Reminiscent of a Roman palazzo, it underlines the importance of the horse to grandees at the time… On three sides of the quadrangle, above the stall and loose boxes, there are now flats where stable staff were once housed. The fourth side is the granary, where fodder for the horse was kept… All these are sheltered by three-quarters of an acre of roofs.

Extract from The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, Round about Chatsworth, 2005

From welcoming horses...to house visitors

Although the Stables has been extended over the years, the main body remains a fine example of a Palladian composition. 

A service court (carriage house) was added to the eastern side between 1843 and 1846 by the 6th Duke and, at the beginning of the 20th century, this court was adapted to suit motor vehicles. 

The original stable yard remained in use until the end of the 20th century. Following the refusal of planning for a new visitor centre at Chatsworth, in 1989 Duchess Deborah employed architect Philip Jebb to convert parts of the building into a new restaurant, shop, and associated visitor services. These were housed in the 6th Duke’s carriage house and on the western side of the yard, and included renovating the hay stores on either side of the west gate into visitor lavatories. The arcades on the north, west and east sides were also glazed.

‘After much heart-searching, it has been decided to use our garage, more romantically named the Carriage House on the old plans, on the east side of the stable yard.
To turn the garage into a restaurant will mean more work than wiping up the patches of oil left by the cars and driving them to their second home higher up the hill. The transformation will take many months, while a team of builders, masons, plumbers, electricians, glaziers and joiners work…’

Extract from The Duchess of Devonshire, The Estate, A View from Chatsworth, 1990

The 12th Duke completed the glazing of the arcades on the southern half of the yard to accommodate the expansion of the popular Stables gift shop, and the upper floors were adapted for staff housing and offices.

About James Paine

James Paine was an influential English architect known for his contribution to Palladian architecture during the 18th Century. He was born in Yorkshire and studied at St Martins Lane Academy in London, where he came into contact with many artists, designers and architects, including Issac Ware. 

It is believed that through Ware, Paine was introduced to Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and father-in-law to the 4th Duke.  Paine’s first professional role was as Clerk of Works on Nostell Priory in Yorkshire, a design by Colonel James Moyser, a friend of Lord Burlington. 

In the early 1740’s, Paine began to gain recognition for his work on country houses. His designs include Mansion House in Doncaster, Belford Hall in Northumberland, Stockeld Park in Yorkshire, and Thorndon Hall in Essex. He also designed the north front of Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire. 

Paine’s vision for The Great Stables seems to have been inspired by the Royal Mews at Charing Cross, which was designed by William Kent.  Kent is credited with introducing Palladian architecture in the 18th Century and redesigned Devonshire House for the 3rd Duke. He was a close friend of Lord Burlington, who was also his Patron, and designed his Chiswick House in London.

Accommodating the restoration works

In order to carry out the restoration of the west gate and clock tower, scaffolding will be erected from 6 January 2025 for at least 6 weeks.

To accommodate this work, and to ensure the safety of visitors and the Chatsworth team, the west gate entrance to the Stables courtyard and the Stables toilets will be temporarily closed. 'War Horse' by Elizabeth Frink, will also be temporarily cordoned off during scaffolding work. 

Access to the Stables courtyard will be via the north entrance, please look out for direction signage.

Alternative toilets are located between the house entrance and park shop. View map.

Improvements to our Restaurants and Shops

Please note that the Stables Gift shop will be closed from 6-10 January inclusive for renovation. 

The Carriage House Café will also close from 24 January to 15 February inclusive for redecoration.

Image credits: Matt Bullen, India Hobson, Saul Brown