In the early 1930s, Duchess Evelyn, in collaboration with the head gardener, J. G. Weston, created the Ravine and the Azalea Dell in the south of the garden.
These areas of planting were clearly in the ‘woodland garden’ fashion as extolled by influential horticulturists William Robinson and Gertrude Jekyll who favoured ‘wild’ or ‘natural’ gardens over traditional formal gardens.
A stream was dammed at intervals to make several pools. Planting included primula, ferns, meconopsis, berberis, viburnum, buddleja, and rhododendron. The rhododendron on the ‘cliff-like side’ was left alone except for a narrow path that was cut among them and accessed by means of a rustic bridge that spanned the upper part of the ravine.
This area was neglected during the Second World War, but partially restored in the 1980s by Duchess Deborah.
More recently, further work has been carried out in this area. The path now meanders across the stream in several places and the pools have been enlarged. As is the case throughout the garden, all the Rhododendron ponticum has been removed as a precaution to stop the spread of Phytophthera ramorum. As a result of this, the ‘cliff-like side’ of the Ravine was replanted in 2013.
Twice a year the shrubs in the Azalea Dell give a memorable performance. In late May, the solid mass of Double Ghent azaleas and Rhododendron luteum combine to make a heady aroma, and in the autumn the leaves colour very well.
Discover more from the modern garden
Rose Garden
Originally the French Garden, in 1939 Duchess Mary, wife of the 10th Duke, remodelled this area and it became known as the Rose Garden.
Serpentine Hedges
The Serpentine Hedges were created from an idea of Duchess Deborah's.
Display Greenhouse
This greenhouse is sited to the north of the First Duke's Greenhouse and has three climate zones: tropical, Mediterranean and temperate.
The Maze
Originally the site for Paxton's Great Conservatory, this garden is now home to a large yew maze.
Kitchen Garden
Chatsworth has grown its own food for centuries and all manner of fruit, salad, cut flowers and vegetables are grown in the kitchen gardens.
Snake Terrace
In 1974, the Snake Terrace was constructed in the space between the First Duke's Greenhouse and the Display House.
Sensory Garden
The Sensory Garden was an idea instigated by Lord Burlington, the 12th Duke's son.
Quebec
In 2008, the 12th Duke and Duchess re-established Quebec, a long-over-grown area below the Canal Pond.
Summer House and Golden Grove
Near the Summer House is a plot planted in gold and yellow – the Golden Grove. All the shrubs and small trees here were given by friends and neighbours of the 11th Duke and Duchess to mark their golden wedding in 1991.
Cottage Garden
The Cottage Garden was created in 1989 with topiary 'rooms' and 'furniture' created out of box, privet and yew hedges.
Arcadia
The 12th Duke and Duchess, working with the Chatsworth Garden team and three celebrated garden designers, oversaw the biggest transformation of the garden for 200 years, including a brand new landscape project: Arcadia.
Learn about the early garden
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.
Discover the 6th Duke's Garden
The 6th Duke, working with renowned gardener Joseph Paxton, made radical and pioneering changes to the Chatsworth Garden and Estate.
