Chatsworth's recently-acquired £4 million lottery windfall allows for the restoration of cherished water feature.
In a significant move to preserve a piece of British heritage, Chatsworth House Trust has received a £4.6 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore the historic Cascade, a 17th-century water feature that has been out of service since March 2024 due to structural issues caused by years of use and significant water leakage.
The Cascade, built in the 1690s, is a Grade-I listed water feature and one of Britain's most iconic water features, known for its remarkable aquatic engineering and natural design inspiration. This restoration project aims not only to repair the physical structure but also to reinvigorate its role as a central attraction in the garden.
The project's objectives extend beyond restoration. Chatsworth House Trust plans to develop partnerships with schools and local charities to educate people about the Cascade's history and engineering. They will also create activities highlighting the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature and near water, aiming to extend access and welcome new audiences to Chatsworth.
The funding is crucial for Chatsworth House Trust, a charity dedicated to preserving the house, gardens, parkland, and collections. The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s support will help ensure the Cascade remains a source of inspiration, learning, and enjoyment for visitors and the local community for years to come.
The total cost of the Cascade restoration project is projected to be £7.5 million. The Trust aims to raise the remaining £1 million within the next 18 months. Members of the general public can sponsor one of the cascade stones to contribute to its restoration.
Alan Titchmarsh, a famous gardener and broadcaster, expressed his support for the Cascade restoration project. Titchmarsh, who stated that the Cascade is his favorite stately home garden in the world, also mentioned that the Cascade is the most important water feature of its kind in Europe.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is pleased to award Chatsworth House Trust with £4.6 million to restore the Cascade and make a step change in how Chatsworth engages with local communities and visitors. Part of the grant will also be used to create a learning and audience development programme for the Chatsworth Garden.
Chatsworth House, the seat of the Dukes of Devonshire, has been used as a filming location for popular productions such as Pride & Prejudice (2005), Peaky Blinders, and The Crown. The restored Cascade is expected to attract even more visitors, further boosting the local economy.
For more information about the project and donation options, visitors can visit the Chatsworth Trust's website. The Chatsworth House Trust, established in 1981 and funded by donations and ticket sales to the house and gardens, is committed to sustaining the Cascade for centuries to come.
The Chatsworth House Trust will use the granted funds to develop a learning and audience development program for the Chatsworth Garden, focusing on the history and engineering of the iconic Cascade, as well as the health benefits of outdoor-living and home-and-garden activities. After its restoration, the Cascade is expected to facilitate an immersive lifestyle experience for visitors, thereby preserving a piece of British heritage and providing a significant boost to the local economy.
