UK Trip Blog The Second: Chatsworth IS a museum

Written mid-tour: 05 July 2015

Chatsworth blew my mind. Of course, the Austen fan within was squeeing with delight as I swooned about the faux Pemberley of imagination and film and I gazed wistfully out of massive windows looking down upon a vast garden estate quaintly dotted with walking lamb chops and oh I did sigh heartily. But the leftie, commie pinko was of course aghast at the arrogant opulence of the place. Built in the 16th century as a country house for Bess of Hardwick and designed specifically to do nothing more than show off extreme wealth, multiple tour guides took pains to ensure we all knew that "this is not a museum, it is a working home." The obsequiousness of the staff when speaking lovingly of their gracious employer seriously grated against my union soul. It also irritated me somewhat to find that even after two years outside the union, I actually do still have a union soul.

The house is a museum alright - it's just one with living relics interred and occasionally wheeled out for the amusement of the paying masses. The current 12th Duke of Devonshire and his missus are surely integral exhibition pieces representing a ruling system no longer relevant in the 21st century. Which is not to say that Chatsworth and it's "owners" are not important - they clearly have a large role to play in supporting contemporary (and narcissistic) art, and provide significant employment for the local area. But it is without question a museum business model, carrying out the roles of research, curation, collection and conservation. 

Shit pic taken from bus on approach to Chatsworth