NOTTINGHAM — This morning dawned brighter but decidedly chillier. I went north on the M1 and followed the signs to Bolsover Castle. This is a 17th century home built by William Cavendish as a medieval-style fantasy castle. He was an accomplished horseman and his horses lived in style as well. 

I did the audio tour of the castle which took me a couple of hours to go around the buildings and grounds. Very interesting, especially many of the rooms in the Little Castle (as the castle part of the buildings is known) which still have the original painted ceilings and walls.

Leaving Bolsever I noticed directional signs pointing the way to Chatsworth, so I decided to follow them. In the end I spent about three hours at Chatsworth though you could easily spend the whole day. This is the house that featured as Pemberley in the recent Pride and Prejudice film, and as itself in the film The Duchess. The home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, the interior was awe-inspiring—which, I suppose, is really the whole point of the house.
The gardens were just as interesting. There were a lot of modern sculptures dotted around the landscape as part of an exhibition that I gather was arranged in conjuction with Sothebys.

If I could have the day over again I’d probably visit Chatsworth first. On the way back to the Travelodge I struck my first traffic go-slow on the M1. Thankfully it didn’t stretch for miles and I got back in time to catch the news.