“The Cascade has featured so often throughout my life from childhood through to my adult years. It is one of my most favourite and treasured places to visit. I simply could not fail to donate anything towards it!”
– Supporter of Celebrating the Cascade campaign
We always knew that the 300 year old Cascade was much loved by our visitors, but our campaign to raise funds for its restoration has revealed just what it means to so many people. The depth of affection expressed to us by supporters making donations – from all over the world – really has moved us.
Built in the 1690s, the Cascade was an engineering feat of its time. It is now cared for by Chatsworth House Trust, a registered charity. Comprising 23 steps, the Cascade descends 60 metres in a design that mimics a natural waterfall. But centuries of use – and the British weather – have weakened the Cascade and to prevent further deterioration, the water has now been turned off.
In July Chatsworth House Trust launched a public campaign to raise funds for the project. In the first two months, we are delighted to report that nearly £50,000 has already been donated by Friends, visitors and supporters.
The Cascade is made up of over 2,500 individual stones and we are inviting supporters to consider sponsoring a stone for a donation of £100 or more. In return for this gift, donors receive a special certificate of thanks which shows the location of their individual stone on a specific step. It is a chance for people who love Chatsworth to play a crucial part in a major restoration of the Grade 1 listed monument.
“In the 1950s, my nana and grandad would hire a car and come to Chatsworth for the day. Four generations on and the family continues to visit. It’s a way of deepening our family bonds and acknowledging our mutual love and support.”
– Supporter of Celebrating the Cascade campaign
With only a limited number of stones available for sponsorship, this really is a special opportunity to be part of preserving the Cascade for the future. We are hugely grateful for the generosity of supporters so far. People are responding from all over the country: from Edinburgh to Hastings and from Wakefield to Norwich. Such is Chatsworth’s draw that donations have been received from Arizona, California, New York, Texas and even Melbourne (the one in Australia not Derbyshire!).
We have asked donors if they could share why they are donating and it has been fascinating to see the whole range of reasons for support. Some donors are sponsoring a stone because of a special occasion: a birthday, the birth of a grandchild or a wedding anniversary. Others are doing it because they proposed at the Cascade, had their wedding at Chatsworth or because their grandparents brought them here many years ago and they would like to bring their own grandchildren here in the future for picnic and a paddle. For some, the preservation of an historic monument is the motivator. For others it is the sheer beauty of nature and flowing water which helped them during the pandemic when Chatsworth was “a lifeline”.
“Chatsworth House is our therapy for physical and mental health. We wish for future generations to be able to share this beauty.”
– Supporter of Celebrating the Cascade campaign
If you would like to help with the restoration, we would be delighted to receive your support.
