England is most definitely one of the merriest countries in the world.
After all, this is the nation that gave us Charles Dickens, the Christmas card, Love Actually and a slew of the festive tunes we sing each year. And each season, one of the most Christmassy places to be in England is at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.
While it's common for stately British homes to dress up in their holiday best, no one does it quite like Chatsworth.
Nestled in a picturesque part of the Peak District, Chatsworth has been the residence of the Cavendish family ever since the 1500s. It is home to over 100 resplendent rooms and 105 acres of graceful sprawling gardens.
Chatsworth picks a theme each Christmas, with this year's being "Oh Dickens It's Christmas." This means the works of Mr. Charles Dickens are alive in the rooms open to the public, and all have a Christmassy glow about them.
The following are just a few of the highlights of Chatsworth at Christmas this year.
Page-Turning Entrance
You enter the house to a roaring fireplace and books-lots and lots of books. Works of literature are transfixed on the Christmas tree, and there's even a "man" entirely made of books.
Up the stairs and into a hallway sees you surrounded by gorgeous garland with dozens of dangling typeface letters. After all, Dickens did publish over four million words.
Christmassy Chapel
After passing by a recreation of Scrooge & Marley's shop from A Christmas Carol, you arrive in the chapel, which is done up to be to the den of the Ghost of Christmas Present. Here you take in a throne surrounded by holly and a myriad of lush fruits fit for a king.
Glorious Gardens
While it may be a chilly time of year, nothing can reduce the romance of the Chatsworth House gardens. Stroll along the rectangular pond (complete with fountain), lost in the maze or take in the rock garden, which is home to a bevy of boulders and a peaceful stream. You may even get lucky and see a dusting of snow on the surrounding hills.
Know Before You Go
Christmas at Chatsworth runs until January 7th, 2018. Visit the Chatsworth House website for ticket information.
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