On Saturday 12 September 1857, Elizabeth Gaskell and her daughter Meta were amongst many tourists arriving at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire with their printed admission tickets. Their tour of the house was interrupted by an invitation to stay for luncheon and an announcement that rooms were being made ready for them as guests of the 6^th Duke of Devonshire!!

This talk, by Fran Baker,  explores Gaskell’s memorable account of her experience at Chatsworth, and also examines what the episode can tell us about her professionalism as an author, the relationship between writers and aristocratic patrons in the age of the professional writer, and the rise of literary tourism as a leisure pursuit alongside country house visiting.

Doors open at 1pm – the chapel will be selling tea and coffee and you are most welcome to bring a packed lunch! The talk begins at 1.30pm.

All are welcome – both members and non-members.

You can access a recording of the talk (for a small charge), here