New fundraising push for repair of Chatsworth water feature

A new fundraising push has been launched to restore a water feature at Chatsworth House, which is part of the Devonshire Group, that requires repairs costing £7 million.

Chatsworth House Trust has recently issued an update on its major fundraising campaign to restore the estate’s much-loved Cascade, which launched last year.

The restoration of the Cascade forms the latest initiative from the trust to help improve the appreciation for, and protection of, Chatsworth’s impressive heritage for future generations to enjoy.

Recently, the trust – a registered charity formed to maintain the house and its collections, garden, woodlands and park – submitted a grant application for nearly £5 million to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for further funding to restore the water feature.

To mark the occasion, author, broadcaster and friend of Chatsworth Alan Titchmarsh hosted a panel talk, including Jane Marriott, director of Chatsworth House Trust, Sarah Owen, director of development, Rob Harrison, head of operations and Steve Porter, head of gardens and landscape, who shared fond memories of the Cascade, the progress to date, the public fundraising campaign and the significant next steps.

The full restoration project has been costed at more than £7 million over the course of several years and is urgently needed due to rapid structural deterioration caused by the continual leakage of water through the mortar and joints in the stonework into the surrounding landscape, including a 19th century tunnel driven underneath the fountain which was once used to supply the Great Conservatory with coal.

As part of the fundraising campaign, the trust is asking for the support of those who love the Cascade to help raise a small portion of the funds needed to restore it to full working glory.

Supporters are invited to ‘sponsor a stone’ for themselves, their family or a friend, in return for a certificate, which will identify the exact location of the specific stone they have sponsored.

The trust’s goal is to raise £250,000 from donations big and small from visitors and friends. So far, £80,000 has been raised.

Alongside the restoration, the trust will also work with schools and local charities to design learning programmes and promote the health and wellbeing benefits of being in nature.

Sarah said: “The Cascade is one of the most popular features at Chatsworth and ‘Celebrating the Cascade’ is a major project to ensure its long-term preservation for visitors for years to come.

“As well as raising vital funds for the restoration, we hope this project will also be a positive step in helping to continue to diversify and widen the reach and engagement of people who may not previously have considered Chatsworth a place for them.

“Our aim is to encourage greater access, with the creation of a public outreach programme to make the Cascade, and the entire garden at Chatsworth, feel more accessible and exciting for visitors and learners of all ages, and with a wide range of needs.”

To find out more about the project and to sponsor a stone, visit https://cascade.chatsworth.org.