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Chatsworth Ideas

Moderate · circular

Stand Wood, the Hunting Tower and Emperor Lake

The wooded hill behind the house is free to walk all year. A stiff climb brings you to the Elizabethan Hunting Tower and the lakes that feed the garden's fountains and the Cascade, with the best high view of the house and park.

  • 3 miles (5 km)
  • 2 hours
  • On leads

At a glance

Distance
3 miles (5 km)
Time
2 hours at an easy pace
Difficulty
Moderate
Shape
Circular
Start
Chatsworth main car park, DE45 1PP
Terrain
Steep woodland tracks and steps, then level lakeside paths. Muddy after rain.
Dogs
On leads
Pushchairs
No

Start point on OpenStreetMapDirections to the startEstate route notes

Highlights

  • The Hunting Tower (1582)
  • Emperor Lake and Swiss Lake
  • The aqueduct and waterfall
  • Sowter Stone viewpoint over the house

The route

  1. From the stables courtyard take the signed Stand Wood track uphill behind the house.
  2. Climb through the woods to the Hunting Tower for the classic bird's-eye view.
  3. Continue on the level track past the aqueduct to Emperor Lake and on to Swiss Lake.
  4. Descend by the waterfall path back towards the house.

Parking, loos and cafes at the start

Within about three-quarters of a mile of Chatsworth main car park, from OpenStreetMap.

  1. Public toilets

    100 m from the house, to the north-west

    Near Edensor

    Map

  2. Public toilets

    100 m from the house, to the north-west

    Near Edensor

    • Limited wheelchair access

    Map

  3. Public toilets

    100 m from the house, to the north-west

    Near Edensor

    • Free

    Map

  4. Public toilets

    100 m from the house, to the north-east

    Near Edensor

    • Free

    Map

  5. Chatsworth

    300 m from the house, to the north

    Near Edensor

    • Charges apply

    Map

  6. The Parlour

    100 m from the house, to the north-east

    Near Edensor

    • Coffee Shop

    Hours (as recorded): Mon-Sun 11:30-16:30

    Map

  7. Edensor Tea Cottage

    0.6 miles (1 km) from the house, to the west

    Jap Lane, Edensor, DE45 1PH

    • Limited wheelchair access

    Map

Pubs at the end

5 pubs in Baslow and Beeley, the villages this walk finishes in or passes through.

  1. The Devonshire Arms

    1.2 miles (2 km) from Chatsworth House, to the north

    Nether End, Baslow, DE45 1SR

    thedevonshirebaslow.com+44 1246 582551Map

  2. The Wheatsheaf

    1.3 miles (2.1 km) from Chatsworth House, to the north

    Nether End, Baslow, DE45 1SR

    • Serves food

    Map

  3. The Pilsley Inn

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

    High Street, Pilsley, DE45 1UL

    • Outdoor seating

    Map

  4. Prince Of Wales

    1.4 miles (2.3 km) from Chatsworth House, to the north

    Church Lane, Baslow, DE45 1RY

    princeofwalesbaslow.co.ukMap

  5. 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

More about BaslowMore about Beeley

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.