Elvaston Castle

Elvaston Castle is a Gothic Revival stately home in Elvaston, Derbyshire. The castle and its 0.81 km² country park sit among woodlands, parkland and formal gardens. Derbyshire County Council owns and runs the estate as Elvaston Castle Country Park. The park contains over fifty structures including stables, kennels, a walled garden and an ice house. A boathouse and home farm also stand within the grounds. The castle’s interiors were designed by James Wyatt in the early 19th century for Charles Stanhope, the 3rd Earl of Harrington. Wyatt created a new wing, great hall and most of the castle’s interiors before his death. Robert Walker completed the work between 1815 and 1829. Later, Lewis Nockalls Cottingham remodelled the south front in 1836 to match the Gothic style. The gardens were redesigned by William Barron for the 4th Earl and his actress wife Maria Foote. Visitors walk through the Grade II listed gardens, once a private retreat for the 4th Earl and Countess. Barron brought in full-grown trees using a machine he designed to give instant maturity. The gardens became known as a Gothic paradise after the 5th Earl opened them to the public. The estate also includes a Grade II* listed park. Restoration work is now underway to bring the castle and grounds back to their former state.