£100 or less: a stately day trip

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erin R. Babis
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Disclaimer: I am greatly biased toward anything that makes me feel like I'm in a Jane Austen novel. Regardless of my bias, visits to the beautiful and impossibly ornate stately homes that are sprinkled throughout the United Kingdom aren't solely my cup of tea.

Just north of Nottingham, nestled into a tidy, 105-acre plot of land, is the Chatsworth estate. This estate is famous for many reasons, which you can learn about in a convenient documentary on Netflix. I highly recommend watching it before going so you can be in-the-know about some of the scandalous history.

Personally, Chatsworth was kind of a Jane Austen pilgrimage for me. I had to go because it's believed that Austen based her idea for Pemberley on Chatsworth House. As any Austen fan knows, Pemberley is the residence of the famous Mr. Darcy. You can actually buy a Mr. Darcy bust in the gift shop.

The greatest drawback is the drive. It takes about three hours to get there, but I was able to get there and back on less than a tank of gas in a standard-sized car. In the end it didn't seem like a big to-do. However, you could just tack it on to a fun weekend visit to Nottingham with hardly any added cost.

You can enjoy Chatsworth in a million different ways. Take the family or some friends and enjoy a picnic, a picturesque view or wandering around the gardens trying to find your way to the middle of the maze. You can get fancy and enjoy an afternoon tea, but that does cost a little extra and needs to be booked in advance.

The house was incredible. Modern art is mixed in with the historical pieces you'd expect to find.

It's an extensive chunk of land that has something to see in every hidden corner. Refreshment stands are scattered throughout so you're never too far from a refreshing glass of bubbly or fresh cup of coffee.

Chatsworth is by no means a secret getaway. Tons of people were there all day long, but the property is so extensive that it's easy to tuck yourself away in relative privacy if you just want to relax and enjoy a little more peace and quiet.

Location: Chatsworth Park
Parking: Less than £5 or free if booked in advance
Food: Bring a picnic, or tea or lunch is available at the estate, but book in advance.
Transportation: In a standard sized vehicle, the trip requires less than a tank of gas.
Recommended items to bring: Layers because it's England, and you never know when it will get chilly or rainy. Bring a blanket to lounge on and sunscreen, because you can still get a sunburn through the clouds.

Editor's note: This is an article for a series about travel opportunities in and around the United Kingdom on a budget of £100 or less. No federal endorsement is intended or implied for any of the events or places described. If you have a suggestion for an event or destination, or want to share one of your own adventures, email the Public Affairs office at 48FW.PA@us.af.mil