Drought Unearths 17Th Century Garden at Chatsworth Estate

The Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire, England, recently revealed the outline of a 17th Century garden due to exceptionally high temperatures and dry conditions. The garden, known as the Great Parterre, was originally designed in 1699 for the 1st Duke of Devonshire as part of the Chatsworth House south facade.

The formal, European-style garden was subsequently covered over in the 1730s by the 3rd Duke of Devonshire, replaced with a different landscape design. However, the original patterns have repeatedly become visible during recent dry spells, including in 2018, 2022, and again this summer.

The current lawn's grass has shorter roots than the original garden’s planting, causing it to parch and reveal the historic swirling patterns when temperatures exceed 30C. Estate officials note this phenomenon allows a glimpse into the estate’s past, though the garden remains largely lost to time.