‘I’ve loved coming here for over 40 years; Chatsworth remains my favourite stately home and garden’ says Alan Titchmarsh fondly.
‘In fact, I was lucky enough to write a book a couple years ago about the gardens of Chatsworth and the people who work in the gardens – it was the most delightful commission I’ve ever had, and I’ve written over 70 books now.’
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As a longstanding friend of Chatsworth, past County Fair President, as well as author and broadcaster of numerous pieces discussing the estate and its gardens, Alan is well-versed in the life, history and values of Chatsworth.
‘The whole ethos of Chatsworth has been one of sharing,’ suggests Alan passionately.
‘The people of Derbyshire feel a sense of ownership and that they are encouraged to feel that ownership. After all, we are custodians and stewards of this wonderful landscape – we all value the great outdoors and must do our bit to ensure it carries on and is handed down to our children, grandchildren and grandchildren’s children.’
A frequent visitor to Chatsworth over the years, Alan relives a particular moment in the gardens during the 1980s which, he says, holds particular significance.
As with countless others who have visited the Cascade, Alan describes how he has been intrigued and mesmerised by its history.
‘Like most people I was absolutely incredulous in discovering the age of it,’ admits Alan. ‘In being built over three centuries ago, the Cascade is a timeline of British landscape history all in one feature.
‘When it was built, William III was on the throne, window tax was introduced and you can even see the changing of fashions when comparing photographs of visitors at the Cascade over time.’
Reminiscing over one of his first visits to Chatsworth, Alan says the Cascade has remained a key aspect of the garden, which has since left him with a lasting impression. It has also been one of his favourite parts of the garden to return to.
‘The other lovely thing about it is the way it has become part of contemporary life today,’ suggests Alan. ‘I remember paddling in the Cascade and sitting on its edge having walked around the garden on a hot day, as so many others have too. There’s also something so very modern about it and its appearance – it’s very sleek.’
Built in 1697 by French hydraulics engineer Monsieur Grillet, with the upper decorative Cascade House added in 1702 by architect Thomas Archer, the Grade I listed Cascade has remained as first intended – an imposing focal point at Chatsworth.
‘I see the Cascade at Chatsworth as among the most important water features, certainly in Europe’ Alan says.
Indeed, the Cascade is considered a pinnacle of engineering and ingenuity in drawing on the natural resources of the surrounding estate and landscape.
‘I also find it remarkable that for the past 300 years the Cascade has remained as the centre of the garden – it’s the aspect visitors gravitate towards,’ adds head of gardens, Steve Porter.
‘It has prevailed in a very changing landscape and whilst other iconic features at historic houses have changed dramatically, this has survived all the changes that have taken place. It remains to this day an astonishing feature due to its scale and the feeling of grandeur it has.’
‘There are others of course, but nothing sits in the landscape so commandingly as the Cascade of Chatsworth,’ agrees Alan.
‘It really is the beating heart of the garden and whilst it is switched off, it feels as though life is missing in the garden.’
During this ‘intermittent period of Cascade silence’, as Alan describes, essential structural works are planned to repair serious deterioration issues and substantial leakage problems, as well as resolving patchwork repairs carried out during the late 1970s.
‘Unfortunately, we have found that during major interventions over 40 years ago, the stones were removed off the Cascade and reinstated using bitumen – this construction material does not withstand the effects of UV well and, as a result, the stones have degraded and cracked very quickly,’ explains head of operations, Rob Harrison.
‘This has also caused water to penetrate straight under the stone, deteriorate the bed it is on and eventually reaching through the Cascade itself, causing substantial leaks in the coal tunnel underneath – so much so that for the past few years we’ve used scaffolding to prop the tunnel walls.’
Through investigations which have brought to light numerous deterioration issues, Rob says Chatsworth are now in a position to fully understand the challenges ahead.
‘We have determined where the water is penetrating from, which will allow us to take the project forward and ultimately move into the next steps,’ he reveals.
‘Hopefully, following a successful fundraising campaign and National Lotter Heritage Fund application, we will be able to undertake essential repairs for the Cascade with a view to reopening in mid-2027.’
Substantial Cascade restoration costs, Rob says, are estimated at £7.3m – a total which comprises a National Lottery Heritage Fund application of just under £5m, alongside an urgent appeal for the remaining amount; a shortfall Chatsworth House Trust is aiming to raise through its visitor income as a charity, as well as £250,000 from a public fundraising sponsor a stone campaign.
Within this unique appeal, visitors can give a donation starting from £100 and will receive a unique certificate identifying the location of a numbered stone from over 2,000 of the Cascade’s 23 steps.
‘This is the first public campaign we’ve launched; we wanted it to be tangible, something people can be involved in,’ says Sarah Owen, director of development.
As well as receiving a bespoke certificate, sponsors will also have their name listed on a ‘thank you’ board for the duration of the project, while an honour roll will remain forever in Chatsworth’s archives.
‘I feel this is a wonderful thing,’ continues Sarah. ‘In 500 years’ time people will look back in the archive and wonder who the sponsors were. It’s also provided a platform for visitors to tell us what Chatsworth means to them.’
Uncovering many poignant stories throughout the campaign so far, Sarah describes how stone numbers have been chosen to commemorate special occasions, such as birthdays or anniversaries.
‘We’ve received incredibly moving stories where people have asked for a certificate to be in memory of a regiment number, or even an engagement.’
Alongside the sponsor a stone campaign, Sarah says the Cascade restoration project has facilitated an opportunity to plan a rewarding learning programme.
‘We have a huge programme of engagement which is fundamental to this project,’ she says.
‘We have so many stories about the garden and its structures, its people and the environment – we want to share these with our visitors.’
In collaboration with interpretation consultants, Sarah says stories will reveal Chatsworth as place of community, an ecological haven and a place of ingenuity and innovation.
‘We feel there are broad educational opportunities relating to the Cascade in particular and it has been fascinating to cross-cultivate learning about engineering, science, art and the environment.’
In creating a programme of learning resources, schools across the region will be involved in a variety of collaborative projects.
‘For our secondary school students we have worked with a science communicator and rapper Jon Chase, who has created a learning show and even a Cascade-related rap,’ Sarah continues. ‘For Key Stage One and Two, students will be given a map to find characters around the gardens.’
Alongside these schemes, a public programme of events will promote Chatsworth as a place for health and wellbeing.
‘We know Chatsworth is stunningly beautiful’ Sarah says, ‘but actually, what we’ve discovered from our research is just how much it means for people to come and spend time here.’
Jane Marriott, director of Chatsworth House Trust, agrees.
‘The Cascade, in particular, has really touched people’s hearts,’ she says.
‘I came to Chatsworth before working here with my reluctant teenage sons. Before I knew it, they were really enjoying paddling in the Cascade. I immediately had a flashback moment of them being four and eight again.
‘In that moment, I knew this is where I wanted to be, work, and make a difference. ‘For me, the Cascade was a real catalyst, a real moment.’
As with many who have fond memories and personal family stories of the Cascade, Jane has felt a sense of loss and emptiness whilst it has been switched off.
‘We didn’t realise how much we’d miss it,’ she accepts. ‘For decades, children have played in the water, people come to this part of the garden to rest, reflect and enjoy the space.’
Alan Titchmarsh agrees.
‘Apart from being an enormously important historic construction, the Cascade is a custodian of memories for all of us when we came here, or when our parents or grandparents brought us here,’ he concludes.
‘Hopefully, through the Cascade’s restoration, it will carry on inspiring people whilst beautifying and enhancing this garden for centuries to come.’
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