Have you ever had a night that was so amazing you tried to relive it? More importantly, have you manged it?….I should have specified night out….I meant night out… Please don’t share your best nights in with me!
When I was about five I went on a school trip to Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and it blew my mind. I couldn’t believe there was an actual house with an actual ice cream shop actually inside! Amazing!! I also left that day with, what would turn out to be, a lifelong fascination with history.
I have visited MANY times and I never tire of it, especially the garden as it changes through the year. One of my favourite experiences though was on bonfire night. I went many years ago with an ex and was so impressed that this elegant stately home lit their bonfire to Pendulum! Big lesson in never judging a book by it’s cover!
I realised last year (2025) that I hadn’t visited since Covid so I thought if I’m going back I’m going to make it special. I spent days telling my boyfriend how amazing it would be, the atmosphere, the bonfire, the fireworks, the food! I started to become worried that it wouldn’t be as good as I remembered, I really wanted him to feel what I felt when I was there.
So we thought we’d make a day of it and drift in the direction of Derby through the day. We started with a lovely breakfast at TGI Fridays which was a first visit for both of us and it wasn’t half bad! Chains can go either way but the breakfast was lovely.
We then drove over to Matlock Bath. I grew up in this area so I love it even though it’s lost it’s shine a little from the 90’s (we didn’t see a single motor bike for a start!). It was a lovely time of year to visit, it was Halloween so there was a nice amount of hustle and bustle. It was also the first weekend after the Illuminations had finished. If you haven’y seen them they are definatley worth a visit (sneaky peak below).
We walked up one side of the street, and I told my boyfriend about all the shops that used to be there … all he did was ask why there are so many chip shops in a town so far from the sea. He has a point there are at least two to each person but there’s a reason they last. We crossed over by the tourist information so he could see his coy carp, then came back up through the Derwent Gardens.
At one point we walked past two women having a champagne lunch on a bench, strawberries an all. It was pouring with rain, but they were having a great time. I guess champagne will do that to you though.
Luckily, as we hadn’t been in a while, the sight of this amazing estate was enough to put us in a good frame of mind. Seeing it all lit up after dark is enough to get you a little excited, you know with a place like that your in for a good night.
It was a night of mixed seasons. We spent Halloween night at a bonfire / firework display in a place that had its Christmas decs up. It did all added to the magic of the evening though. As we went through the stable block we had a nosey at the decorations. They were impressive and at this point we hadn’t even arrived at the garden never mind the house.
We brought hot chocolates, as is the done thing on nights like this, then headed through the gardens. As you walk the atmosphere hits you and the night begins. There are performers in light up costumes doing various things along the path. One has hoola hoops and tucked away in a corner is a lady was playing ‘Despacito’ on the saxophone!
There was also a man riding a giant light up snail…
To get to the front lawn where everything was happening, we had to walk past the gift shop… So, we went in and if I left feeling like I could have done all my Christmas shopping in there, it was lovely. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a way of carrying them all, so I had to settle with buying myself a couple of books. Such a shame.
Then things got interesting.
We walked around the side of the house where there was a group of drummers also in light up costumes… being followed by a 20ft high puppet! I will remind you that we have yet to see any kind of fire, neither bon nor work.
As we looked over the lawn we decided immediately that
1. It was worth the ticket price, and
2. That if we didn’t leave with tummy aches we had done the night wrong.
The area was FULL of food and drink stalls! So as any sensible adult with no self-control will do, we started at one end and worked our way round. There must have been around 20 different places to eat or drink, a huge range of sweet and savory (and alcohol).
The area was FULL of food and drink stalls! So as any sensible adult with no self-control will do, we started at one end and worked our way round. There must have been around 20 different places to eat or drink, a huge range of sweet and savory (and alcohol).
At the back of the lawn there was a stage with different artists performing but we definitely spent more time gazing with wonder at the food. It would put any Christmas market to shame!
We ended up at the very front for the lighting of the bonfire which was perfect. It was a cold wet night and a hot fire was definitely needed. Whilst it took a while to get going when it did IT DID. We then spent the rest of the show watching the grass between us and the fire to see when we should start to run. The fire did engage the sprinkler system every now and again but the fire evaporated the water instantly. We stuck to our duty of waiting for it all to go wrong anyway, it’s just what us British do, that and queueing.
Once nice and toasty it was time for more food and drink. Then we had the first of two firework displays. That’s right they had two. The first was for anyone who might find the main show to be a sensory overload. The fireworks were smaller and quieter and the show didn’t go on for as long (it was still 15mins though). As the primary audience for this show was children the music reflected that with classics from Frozen and Bob The Builder. I wont lie it was a mixed bag but most people sang and danced to every song.
Then came the final show. It was amazing! The music wasn’t as upbeat as I would have expected but the show itself was stunning and lasted around half an hour. Everyone was speechless by the end, though that could have been exhaustion. I’m not going to say anymore about it because you should buy tickets and go see it for yourself. It’s a full event crammed into three hours and was worth every penny, even the food was worth the inflated rates.
Leaving was relatively painless though some people have clearly never been hit by a car before.
Side note – On the way home it was dark and we were on unfamiliar roads, as mentioned it had been raining. I was being very sensible doing 40mph (in a 60) when I hit a ford! For those that don’t know a ford is a temporary puddle / river that takes up the road and blends in really well in the dark. This one was deep enough to drown my engine and I drive a Corsa, they don’t stop for a lot.
I couldn’t see a thing as the water ploughed straight over the car but we made it to the other side before the engine cut. I turned the ignition off and looked out of my window to see a smiling face in a Range Rover looking down at me. It had followed me through but, you know, Range Rover so it was fine – unimpressed eyeroll. Once the lovely couple inside had made sure we were okay they carried on and my car started up straight away. Back on the road!
I have talked about one specific event at Chatsworth as it holds lots of lovely, cosey, autumn memories for me but they have events on all year round. They even do mascaraed balls, you know where you wear suits and ball gowns with masks….very elegant. At the very least you should go for a day. You will need to pick house or garden though as its difficult to get both done in one day!
Also don’t forget to buy and ice cream (weather permitting) the shop is right there inside the freaking house! Insane!
If you have ever been or have any interesting facts please do leave a comment, the spookier the better!
Don't Fear 40 
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