A Walk to the Hunting Tower on the Chatsworth House Estate

Today, we had a walk up to the Hunting Tower, which stands at the top of the Chatsworth House Estate in Stand Wood, UK, and built in the 1570s. The last time I was here, I was much younger, so I'm sure it was going to be tougher this time as the first part of the walk was up a steep hill. We parked up at Chatsworth House, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and made our way to the top.

Along the way we found some very old, creepy arsed trees.

Further along the walk was Chatsworth Aqueduct with its four arches. I like an aqueduct, and this one looked especially impressive in the rain.

Climbing up the steps to the top of the aqueduct, it was all fenced off. I wouldn't have walked to the edge, though, as I don't like heights.

Not far from the aqueduct was Sowter Stone Waterfall. The water flows down to the aqueduct. At the top of the stone steps, I had a breather!

It was a great place to sit for a while as there was a lovely decorative rock pool overlooking Chatsworth House below.

After finally getting to the top, we followed the footpath, hoping it would lead us to the Hunting Tower.

Suddenly, the tower appeared amongst the daffodils. It was built in1582 for Bess of Hardwick, who from humble beginnings became the second most powerful woman in Elizabethan England after the Queen.

It was originally built as a banqueting house or a summerhouse, but it was also used by the ladies to watch the hunting outside. Source
Rather them, than me! It has now been turned into holiday accommodation but it would probably cost an arm and a leg to stay there.

Only one cannon was here at one point. The others were added at a later date. After a brief rest, we made our way back. At least it would be easier going back down the hill.

We passed what looked like some sort of annexe, which also turned out to be more holiday accommodation. A little cheaper, perhaps?

Returning on a slightly different footpath, it got quite sludgy in places. I was very pleased that on descent, the stone steps had a chain handrail to hold onto as it was a bit slippy with the rain. I was glad I got to the bottom in one piece.

It was a good walk with lots of interesting things to look at along the way. However, because of the steepness of the walk, I won't be doing it again!