Devonshire Estate – Devonshire Arms at Pilsley

It’s not big and it’s not clever – a traditional inn, serving up a mix of warm hospitality, good pub food and local beers… < Back to Projects
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Now with thirteen bedrooms including six fantastic new four-poster rooms all beautifully decorated and range in size from cozy to generous.

Formerly a listed farmhouse building in the car park of the Devonshire Arms at Pilsley, this traditional inn, part of the Chatsworth Estate, now boasts six fantastic new 4-poster ensuite bedrooms.

The Duchess wanted to turn the farmhouse into country cottage style rooms, making guests feel as if they were holidaying by invitation rather than paying guests.

Our brief was to create totally individual rooms, each with its own character and unique fixtures and fittings. Working closely with the Duchess, we set about re-planning and transforming the space into luxury guest accommodation.

Chatsworth’s antique expert was instrumental in sourcing antiques to create a character for each room; some from original Chatsworth stock, others procured specifically for the purpose. Chairs were a mixture of new, reclaimed and antique, upholstered in carefully chosen fabrics.

All rooms have 4-poster beds necessitating a countrywide search for antique bedposts. Each 4-poster was made up of two original bedposts circa 1800 and two posts skillfully made by a local craftsman.

Posts in place, drapes were sourced from a 4-poster bed specialist and included swags, valances and ceilings.

We were lucky enough to be able to resurrect and restore some lamps from Bolton Abbey that were then given new shades; the rest of the lighting was sourced carefully to fit the character of the room it was destined for.

Client Testimonial

"I’ve worked with Rachel since 2007 on a number of projects, starting with the award winning Black Swan Tearoom & Hotel in Helmsley before achieving the same transformation at Feversham Arms Hotel, Verbena Spa, Clumber Park Hotel & Spa and latterly on various projects around the Devonshire Estate.

With Rachel, it’s much more about the ultimate function of the areas and how things fit into that space than merely the aesthetics. Soft furnishings, fixtures and fittings are very important because they are what our guests see first, but Rachel’s process ensures these are underpinned by the spatial planning that takes part at the beginning of every project. Attention to detail and professionalism are a given and I would recommend the services of Rachel McLane Ltd without hesitation"

Simon Rhatigan - Managing Director, Devonshire Hotels & Restaurants