“For me, Christmas is a time when it’s the Chatsworth family all pulling together on a common project. The florists have done the flowers on the dining table, the conservation assistants have ...

Those with the Chatsworth Christmas tickets are also able to access the Christmas market. Car parking on weekdays is priced at £10 per car before 3pm and £5 per car after 3pm.

Chatsworth has unveiled its Christmas theme which is based on an exclusive story written by a former children’s laureate who was inspired by the stately home’s history.

She will be the next Duchess of Devonshire, but at the moment Lady Laura Burlington is busy creating a retail experience with a difference close to Chatsworth House. Catherine Scott reports.

Along with the festive season at the house, the popular Christmas market will return to Chatsworth with more than 100 stalls taking place on Lodge Hill, next to the house from November 6 to 24.

Matthew was a guest of The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow. From £200 a night, cavendishhotelbaslow.co.uk. Christmas at Chatsworth runs until 5 January. Tickets can be booked at chatsworth.org.