If you had time for one only, which would you choose?

I was just a weeee bit underwhelmed by Castle Howard. Haven't been to Chatsworth, but from all I've read think that would be my choice.

Both are wonderful 18th country homes. I've been to both; and I think if I could only see one, I'd choose Chatsworth. It is among the 3 or 4 grandest houses in the UK, and it looks basically like it has for the past several centuries. Soon after the Duke of Devonshire built it in the early 18th century, it has been a "tourist destination". Also relatively close to Chatsworth is Hardwicke Hall, a wonderful Elizabethan House that's well worth a visit.

Yes, I'd do Chatsworth. See the latest Pride and Prejudice. Nearby is also Haddon Hall.

If you want absolute purity of style, it would have to be Castle Howard.

Chatsworth has been worked over, with important (early) 18th elements overlaying an earlier building.

I didn't love Chatsworth. But its park really is peerless.

Oh, c'mon, can't you do both??? What a choice, guess I'd pick Chatsworth, but I'd hate to make that choice, squeeze them in even if it's for a short visit. Unbelievable to imagine people really lived like that....if you haven't seen "Gotsford Park", see it and imagine what went on at Castle Howard and Chatsworth.

tedgale gives one argument for Chatsworth: like any proper English house, it shows its history. Any English house that was built all at once (like the ghastly Blenheim) is just one rich git's trophy. Why North Americans waste time on such places is beyond me when they can see any amount of that stuff in Rhode Island.

But not only can you just about believe a real family has lived at Chatsworth. Debbo's food shop sells serious food. Her Staffordshire oatcakes are fantastic: if she's sold out (sometimes happens on busy Sundays) the Bakewell shops sell oatcakes almost as good (not, BTW, to be confused with those similarly-named mimsy biscuits they sell in Scotland).

The drive from the east, through all those sheep, is sublime. And there's a terrific proper 8-10 mile walk up and down the hills around the estate. Little of which can be said for C Howard.

Oh heavens! I was sure no one would reply to such a particular question. When I was a budding teenage aesthete, I watched every moment of Brideshead Revisited on public television, drooling over those heavenly views in and around Castle Howard. Now these many years later, I was recently bewitched by Pride and Prejudice's use of Chatsworth House. Oh, all right, I'll try to do both.

And since I will be coming from the east, flanneruk, I will be thinking of you amid all of those atmospheric sheep!

This trip isn't 'til June, mind you, so I'll have lots more of these needling questions before then.

Thanks to all who answered!

Hot fudge sundae or banana split?

I agree, enjoy them both if you can. If you have any other time, Hardwick Hall ("Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall" as the rhyme goes) is as Anglophile says, well worth the time.

Both are great. Castle Howard is the "prettier" bldg - but Chatsworth is probably the best if you only have time for one.

If you are going to Chatsworth, you should definitely also go to Hardwick Hall/Old Hall. All three are close to each other. Bess of Hardwick is one of the most fascinating characters of the Elizabethan era.

Chatsworth, by a mile. The house and grounds are absolutely beautiful, and if you're there on a warm day the cascade in the gardens is great to dabble your feet in.