A New Chapter for The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow
Published On Friday 12 Jul 2024 by Sticky Beak
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The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow unveils a new look after a total refurbishment, bringing together the very best British designers and local makers to transform it into an exceptional hotel.
The Cavendish Hotel is set on Chatsworth Estate, with doorstep access to its historic house, garden and parkland, as well as the beautiful landscapes, wildlife, heritage sites and villages of Derbyshire and the Peak District. From expertly planned walking routes and world class fishing to local crafts and arts, and locally sourced food, the hotel offers an authentic rural escape.
Design
The hotel has been redesigned by renowned interior designer Nicola Harding working in close partnership with Laura Burlington, taking inspiration from Chatsworth’s art collection and interiors and celebrating the best in local craftsmanship and furniture design.
Laura Burlington comments: "Nicola has created a hotel that manages to be wonderfully comfortable and full of insights to Chatsworth and its collections. I hope that our guests can find much to be inspired by, and that they enjoy the wonderful Derbyshire food, craft, landscapes and welcome that await them here.”
With a desire to reconnect the building with its history and to reignite a sense of place, the design draws on elements from the surrounding Derbyshire countryside and Chatsworth, resulting in a timeless and very personal feel. The artwork has been sourced from the family’s private collection, and contains artists such as Elizabeth Frink, Phyllida Barlow, Lisa Brice, Elizabeth Peyton and Jeremy Deller. Watercolours of the house and grounds sit alongside more contemporary works, whilst black and white historic family photos adorn the bar.
The 28 characterful and comfortable bedrooms, including two suites, feature countryside views across the estate. While antique furniture, stone fireplaces and traditional elements remain throughout, punches of colour add a sense of fun, from the playful lamps that were made by a member of the household staff to the upholstery and fabrics, which were woven in Derbyshire and Yorkshire.
Nicola Harding comments: “The interiors grew out of the personal story of the Devonshire family and their connection to the Chatsworth Estate. The objectives and values of Chatsworth and the hotel chime so closely with our own, with a strong emphasis on partnership, sourcing locally, and providing employment and training in the local community. It felt such a privilege to bring these values to life through the interiors, sourcing incredible pieces in the same county from upholsterers, craftspeople and makers such as locally woven organic cotton and linen fabrics to glazed ceramic bedside lamps made by a member of the family household. Every detail has been developed in close conversation with Laura Burlington, even drawing on the art and family photos from their personal collection”
Locally Sourced Cuisine
The food offering at The Cavendish has been curated by Executive Chef, Adam Harper and champions the best of local produce. Working closely with the gardeners and farmers at Chatsworth, as well as local artisan suppliers from the estate and surrounding areas- the majority of whom are based within a ten-mile radius of the hotel - Adam has developed menus that celebrate the Peak District’s best-known producers, including trout from Ladybower Fisheries, cold pressed rapeseed oil from Bakewell's Brock & Moreton and pork from the family-run Moss Valley Farm.
With views across the Chatsworth landscape, The Garden Room is a bright, relaxed setting to enjoy lunch or drinks and dinner, with a large terrace providing the perfect spot during the summer. Meanwhile, with 3 AA Rosettes, The Gallery showcases innovative and imaginative dishes in relaxed surroundings. Those looking for a one-of-a-kind experience can book the restaurant’s kitchen table, where they can watch the chefs prepare a bespoke menu.
The lounge and bar is an intimate, cosy space for afternoon tea or cocktails, with traditional open fireplaces alongside a rich colour palette and push velvet fabrics and a 1950s style bar stocked with a large array of local gins.
Chatsworth
Set within the grounds of Chatsworth, guests can enjoy direct access to the estate’s spectacular parkland, with roaming deer herds, ancient woodlands and miles of riverside walks, as well as its garden and house complete with extensive collections of art, furniture and textiles built over five centuries. Guests have the unique opportunity to go fishing against the background of the Grade I listed house and enjoy private tours to learn more about its history, artwork, garden and the conservation and educational work of the Chatsworth House Trust.
Having worked hand-in-hand with local communities for centuries, to preserve and protect the land, Chatsworth has built relationships that offer a wealth of experiences in partnership with local artisans and craftspeople. Guests staying at The Cavendish Hotel can go behind the scenes of small batch gin distilleries, breweries and ice cream makers, as well as discover local artists, jewellery and homeware designers. In addition, the estate has an extensive calendar of themed talks and learning experiences on offer throughout the year for adults and children. From wellbeing sessions in nature and arts and craft courses, to gardening and dry stone walling workshops, those staying at the hotel can have a genuine immersion into rural life. Whether it’s watercolour workshops, outdoor theatre, riverside Thai Chi, floristry or goat feeding, there is something for everyone.
This summer, Chatsworth has an exciting programme of exhibitions and events lined up. From 22 June to 20 October, guests will be able to visit Imaginary Conversations, An ERDEM collection inspired by Duchess Deborah, a stunning exhibition celebrating the legacy of the late dowager Duchess Deborah Devonshire and the Devonshire Collections, which inspired the Spring Summer 2024 collection of fashion design Erdem Moralioglu.
Other exhibitions include Picturing Childhood: A New Perspective at Chatsworth, available until 6th October, which invites guests to explore the many different versions of childhood as represented in art that spans five centuries, from Tudor times to the present day.
For families, the inaugural Chatsworth Family Festival, from 24th - 27th May, is a highlight. With a schedule of activities designed to unleash creativity and let imaginations run wild, kids can master gravity-defying circus skills, make their own kites, walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs, learn to illustrate in drawing workshops and be transported to far off lands by story time.
The Peak District
The hotel’s location is arguably its greatest asset, with carefully curated British countryside experiences allowing guests to discover all that the Peak District has to offer. With unrivalled access to nature, guests can embark on expertly planned walking and cycling routes, spot bird and wildlife, or for those who want to raise their adrenaline levels, caving, rock climbing and abseiling can be arranged with professional, experienced guides.
The attractive village of Baslow offers independent boutiques, great pubs, and access to the Derwent Valley Heritage Trail, a 55-mile stretch through the beautiful and heritage rich landscapes of the Peak District. Nearby Bakewell is set on the banks of the River Wye and is a charming day out full of rich heritage and tradition, while the Monsal Trail is an 8.5 mile traffic free route for horses, cyclists and walkers, taking them through some of the Peak District’s dramatic limestone dales.
Rates: from £200 per night (Standard Suite; based on a B&B basis for two people including taxes & fees)
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