We have signed an agreement with Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust and Elvaston Parish Council to work together in partnership to manage and develop the estate.
Councillor Carol Wood, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
“Elvaston Castle and Gardens is one of the county’s most popular heritage attractions, but its age, size and condition means it is costly for the council to run and requires regular maintenance.
“The council has been trying to find a way forward to secure its future for some time and previous plans had included selling the much-loved local landmark if the opportunity arose. But local groups know what’s good for Elvaston and this agreement signals a fresh start and a viable way forward with all 3 organisations working together collaboratively for the benefit of the estate’s future.
“Making sure the council is run efficiently and spending every penny wisely is our top priority and the trust has harnessed a small army of willing volunteers which has been working for some time to keep the estate running at a relatively low cost to the council.”
Under the trust’s guidance, volunteers contributed over 11,400 hours in both 2024 and 2025, supporting visitors and carrying out conservation, gardening, estate maintenance, community events and researching and promoting the estate’s history and heritage, significantly extending capacity and impact across the estate.
Dr Peter Robinson, Chair of the Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust, says:
“This is an important moment for Elvaston. It represents both the culmination of the work we have delivered to date and the opportunities that now lie ahead, thanks to the strong foundations we have built together.
“The trust will be taking on greater responsibility for volunteering, community engagement, education, fundraising and the heritage of the estate. Working alongside the brilliant on-site team and in partnership with the parish council, we will continue to improve, restore and enhance Elvaston, ensuring this remarkable estate can be enjoyed by the community and visitors alike for generations to come.”
Fiona Keppel-Spoor, Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer to Elvaston Parish Council, said:
"Elvaston Parish Council is delighted to have signed the new agreement. We are wholly committed to ensuring the future of Elvaston Castle is protected and the grounds remain open to the public for the foreseeable future.
“We're looking forward to continuing our work supporting Derbyshire County Council and Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust. After many years of uncertainty for the future of the estate, it now feels like a very positive step forward has been made.”
The agreement comes as Cabinet Members prepare to consider increasing the funding we provide to the trust from around £28,000 a year to £50,000 a year for 5 years at a meeting this week (Thursday 10 September 2026).
If the proposal gets the go-ahead, it will allow the trust to expand work further, providing greater certainty for future planning and strengthening the ability of the trust to secure external funding for the estate to help maintain and improve the much-loved landmark for visitors and local communities.
Work would include the development of new initiatives such as a community hub and visitor welcome space on the estate, improved signage and information, enhanced educational opportunities and new volunteering and skills development programmes for local people.