Heatwave Reveals A Secret Garden From The 17th Century

Record high temperatures in the UK have revealed a 17th-century garden landscape hidden from view for 300 years.

While Britons have spent the past few weeks sweating on public transport, furiously buying fans and secretly missing the winter’s colder temperatures, the UK heatwave has exposed a secret garden at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire.

Scorched grass from the extreme-for-Britain heat means that the outline of flowerbeds and paths dating back to 1699 can now be seen with the naked eye.

The stately home’s head gardener, Steve Porter, explained that although he knew the old landscape was underneath the current garden, it had not been seen before. “It wasn’t a lost landscape or anything – we knew it was there,” he told the BBC. “But the fact is, it’s normally a green lawn so everything is hidden underneath so it’s not visible.”

Porter continues: “The scorched and dry weather we’re suffering at the moment has meant that the areas where there were paths and things underneath are showing up nice and clearly now so you have the nice defined pattern of flowerbeds and paths.”

The grand Peak District property is in the care of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire (Peregrine and Amanda Cavendish) and has been passed down through 16 generations of the Cavendish family.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.