We plan to hold 6 meetings which will take place in Friends Meeting house, Bakewell at 2.00pm on the third Wednesday of Jan, March, May, July, Sept and November. Additional meetings, possibly at Chatsworth, may be arranged.

An opportunity to learn more about the most important enterprise in our area. You name it then Chatsworth has it: genealogy, history, art, gardening, landscape design, forestry, architecture, wild life, farming and business. The list goes on and on.

Although we hope to attract Chatsworth “experts” to share their knowledge and experiences with us we also expect members will want to make a contribution to the learning of other group members as befits the principles of the u3a. We can all become mini experts in a specific aspect of Chatsworth which is of interest to us as individuals and to others in the group.

Additionally we hope that, as a group, we can make a contribution to Chatsworth. They are equally willing to listen and to learn and it will be fascinating to see how our relationship develops.

Photographer: Rob Bendall(For more information, see my userpage…), Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons

More information - 2026 Programme and group news -

 Chatsworth Group Conservation Walk - Jun 2025

Nestled within the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire, Stand Wood provided a serene and ecologically rich setting for 12 members of our Chatsworth Group conservation walk. We were led by Mike Woofenden a member of the Baslow Environmental Group on 11th June.

Entering the woodland, the filtered sunlight glinting through the canopy of oak, beech, and sycamore revealed a thriving habitat, carefully maintained to support native wildlife. We followed managed pathways past trickling streams and moss-draped boulders.

The conservation walk wasn’t just a stroll—it was a journey through centuries of woodland stewardship. Fallen logs are deliberately left to decay, nurturing fungi, insects, and nesting birds. Mike explained the efforts to control invasive species and protect ancient trees, some of which have stood for over 300 years. He also pointed out some of the manmade structures: the chimney for Paxton’s Great Conservatory; Swiss Lake and Frog Pond which are scheduled to be restored in the next couple of years; the Emperor Lake; Hunting Tower; and the tranquil Round (or Ring) Pond.

Volunteers and estate staff work tirelessly there, planting native saplings and monitoring biodiversity. The walk also provided panoramic glimpses of Chatsworth House and the Derwent Valley, reminding us of the deep connection between landscape, history, and sustainability. Our walk through Stand Wood was both peaceful, purposeful, and very informative - a gentle reminder of the importance of protecting England’s natural heritage for future generations.