If walls could talk, what would the walls at Chatsworth have to say?

A great deal I’d bet, considering the number of aristocrats, politicians, socialites and even royals who have lived within its walls. Chatsworth House is one of very few English country houses still owned by the family that built it and a brief history of this family – their triumphs, their trials and their scandals – offers snapshot of life in the uppermost echelons of society that spans over 500 years.

Matriarch

The story of Chatsworth House begins with the formidable matriarch, Bess of Hardwick. Bess was born in 1527 and over the course of her 81-year life rose through the ranks of the British nobility by marrying four husbands, each more powerful than the last, and outliving them all.

With her second husband, Sir William Cavendish, Bess bought Chatsworth Manor in 1549 at a cost of £600. The manor was nowhere near grand enough for Bess and the couple immediately set about building a large country house on the land.

Bess was often referred to as the second most powerful woman in England, after Queen Elizabeth I, and she had a complicated relationship with the Queen.

On the one hand, Bess’s grandaughter, Arbella Stuart had a legimitate claim to Elizabeth’s famously unstable throne. On the other, Bess did Elizabeth the great service of acting as custodian of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was intermittently held prisoner at Chatsworth House.

The rooms in which Mary was held at Chatsworth were located on the east side of the house and are still known as the Queen of Scots Apartments although their interiors are dramatically changed.

The Peak District is an upland area of Northern England, in the county of Derbyshire, is similar to the Yorkshire Dales (but probably less well known).

Like the Dales is offers stunning views of upland sheep country, dry stone walls and pretty villages nestling in valleys.

Here, then, is our guide >>>

The Peak District: The Best 20 Things to Do And See

1. Dovedale

By Rob Bendall, Attribution, Link

Near to Ashbourne is the popular Dovedale, a pretty valley cut by the River Dove, popular with walkers.

The land is now owned by the National Trust and so is more accessible than many of the local farmland.

What do the Bee Gees, New Order, Oasis, Herman’s Hermits, The Chemical Brothers and The Stone Roses have in common? All of these artists hail from the fertile music scene of Manchester, England.

Drawing from the city’s industrial and blue-collar past, artists from Manchester possess the ability to write songs and create music that reflects the public attitude of that time. Bands are in touch with their audience due in part to Manchester’s thriving club scene where artists have a chance to develop and are nurtured through local support.

Manchester is often overlooked by a certain city to the West where four mop-topped Brits skyrocketed to everlasting fame. During your visit to England, make sure you stop by the following spots in Manchester that put the city’s mad music scene on the map.

1. The Hacienda

Even though the club itself has been replaced by flats bearing its name, it’s still worth the walk to visit the old site of The Hacienda. If you are a fan of electronic or house music, come pay tribute to the club that “Madchester” built.

The Hacienda dance club was the birth of DJ-based club music, building a healthy following in from the early 80s until its closure in 1997. If you enjoy going to a club and dancing to a DJ’s playlist, you can thank The Hacienda for cultivating this scene. It also housed legendary shows by Manchester-based bands such as The Smiths and New Order, as well as Madonna’s first U.K. appearance.

Looking for artifacts from this electric time period in Manchester’s music past? Head to the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry for some first-hand evidence from the golden age of house music.

With its combination of breathtaking scenery and centuries of history, Yorkshire is a wonderful place to visit. Whether you want to visit a secluded fishing village, spend a morning browsing a farmer’s market or tour historic cathedrals and abbeys, the North of England’s largest county has something for everyone. Join us on a tour of ten of the best things to see and do in the home of the best cup of tea in England.

1. North Yorkshire

The location for some of Yorkshire’s most historic towns and cities – Whitby, Harrogate and York itself – the north of the region has a world of other treats to offer. It was North Yorkshire that was the setting for James Herriot’s well-loved series of books based on his experiences as a veterinary surgeon in the area, and its rolling hills and dales provide a haven for walkers, photographers and nature lovers.

Whilst there, why not pay visit to Scarborough Fair, inspiration for the famous song. Today it is home to a magnificent collection of vintage fairground rides, steam engines, cars and mechanical organs.

“Perhaps to the Lakes!” – With these words, Elizabeth Bennett of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice began her adventure to the Lake District. Her enthusiasm to see the natural beauty of that unique region is still appropriate today. Walk where Wordsworth found his “host of golden daffodils.”

You could easily spend your entire trip to England in the Lake District and depart without disappointment. The natural beauty of the area includes such a lot in such a confined space, from mountains to valleys, lakes to forests.

At the end of each day’s excursion, enjoy some of the finest food England has to offer. Rest in charming Bed and Breakfast hotels and hit the trails again in the morning with a hardy English breakfast in your stomach and the spirit of adventure in your heart.

Romance and history pervade the air of The Lake District and diligent stewardship of the region has preserved it for the enjoyment of visitors today. Experience the England of Romanticism, the verdure that beckoned Samuel Taylor Coleridge and set the scene for many English adventures; visit The Lakes.

Windermere and Ambleside

The charming villages of Windermere and Ambleside cater to a large number of visitors as they take in the nearby lake, Windermere. It is a long, winding lake created in a glacial trough as two gigantic ice mountains gouged a route through the area. A very popular escape, Windermere features miles of beautiful walks, attractive village accommodations and entertainments and varied terrain.
The Windermere Walk which circles the lake, is a significant attraction. This lush, varied route includes shores, elevations and vistas that long haunt the memory. You will not manage the 45 mile path in a day though many walkers do so in four days.

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