Cavendish Hotel

The Cavendish Hotel sits at the edge of the Chatsworth estate, which surrounds one of England’s loveliest stately houses, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Eric Marsh has managed, restored and expanded what was originally an 18th-century fishing inn into a fine hotel. The Garden Room (perfect for lunch and informal dinners) frames a panoramic view of the River Derwent meandering through green fields across the estate; comfy sofas and chairs in the adjacent lounge invite you to linger and relax. The bar is a cozy gathering spot for drinks before dinner in the highly commended dining room (you can request a table for two in a corner of the kitchen if you are eager to peek at what happens behind the scenes). Bedrooms in the oldest part of the hotel have an old world ambiance and lovely views across an open countryside. We loved our stay in room 9, a spacious four-poster room. An adjoining wing of bedrooms with a more contemporary style has been built to match the original building. They’re called the Mitford Rooms after their designer, the Duchess of Devonshire, and her Mitford family. A pathway leads you on a beautiful walk through the Chatsworth estate to Chatsworth House. Explorations farther afield reveal unspoiled villages set in beautiful rolling countryside of stone-walled fields, green valleys, and spectacular dales.