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Chatsworth Ideas

Easy · circular

Calton Lees to Chatsworth House

The classic first walk at Chatsworth: from the southern car park along the River Derwent to the west front of the house, with the whole park opening up as you go. The estate publishes 3 km and 5 km versions from the same start.

  • 2 miles or 3 miles (3–5 km)
  • 2 hours
  • Pushchair-friendly
  • On leads in the park

At a glance

Distance
2 miles or 3 miles (3–5 km)
Time
2 hours at an easy pace
Difficulty
Easy
Shape
Circular
Start
Calton Lees car park, DE4 2NX
Terrain
Surfaced estate road and mown parkland, one gentle rise.
Dogs
On leads in the park
Pushchairs
Yes

Start point on OpenStreetMapDirections to the startEstate route notes

Highlights

  • River Derwent and the mill ruins
  • The 1762 bridge by James Paine
  • Queen Mary's Bower
  • West front of the house across the river

The route

  1. From Calton Lees car park follow the estate road north with the river on your right.
  2. Pass the ruined 18th-century corn mill and keep to the riverside path across open parkland.
  3. Cross Paine's bridge for the house, garden entrance and stables courtyard cafés.
  4. Return the same way, or climb the parkland to the west for the longer loop with views back over the house.

Parking, loos and cafes at the start

Within about three-quarters of a mile of Calton Lees car park, from OpenStreetMap.

  1. The Vines

    1.2 miles (1.9 km) from the house, to the south

    Near Beeley

    • Wheelchair access

    Hours (as recorded): Mon-Sat 09:00-17:00 · Sun 10:00-16:30

    Map

  2. Calton Lees Car Park

    1.1 miles (1.7 km) from the house, to the south

    Near Beeley

    • Charges apply

    Map

Pubs at the end

2 pubs in Beeley and Edensor, the villages this walk finishes in or passes through.

  1. The Beeley Inn

    1.7 miles (2.7 km) from Chatsworth House, to the south

    Beeley, DE4 2NZ

    • Serves food
    • Outdoor seating
    • Rooms

    chatsworthescapes.co.ukMap

  2. The Pilsley Inn

    1.4 miles (2.2 km) from Chatsworth House, to the north-west

    High Street, Pilsley, DE45 1UL

    • Outdoor seating

    Map

More about BeeleyMore about Edensor

Other walks

Sources

  • Place listings from OpenStreetMap contributors, licensed under the ODbL; snapshot taken 4 September 2026. Names, opening hours and websites are as recorded by volunteers and can be out of date — check before you rely on them, and fix errors on OpenStreetMap itself.
  • Official facts checked against the official suggested walks on 3 September 2026. Prices, dates and rules change; the official site is the final word.