Over its 400-year history, the Welbeck estate has stood the test of time. It has welcomed politicians, dignitaries and royalty and played a role in significant milestones in the country’s history.
It was back in 1607 that its fortunes first changed when the former monastery was acquired by Sir Charles Cavendish, the youngest son of the famed Bess of Hardwick. Since then, the estate has been handed down through the generations with many strong women in its history.
Click on a name to discover more about the influential Women of Welbeck.
Elizabeth Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury
Lady Catherine Cavendish, Baroness Ogle
Frances Cavendish, Countess of Bolingbroke
Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire
Henrietta, Duchess of Portland
Winifred, Duchess of Portland
Blanche Maynard – Lady Algernon Gordon-Lennox
Lady Ottoline Morrell
Ivy, Duchess of Portland
Derek Adlam - Curator Emeritus
Derek Adlam and a colleague were the first craftspeople to take up a Harley Foundation studio at Welbeck in 1982. Trained as a classical pianist, Derek had turned to the restoration, making and playing clavichords, harpsichords and other early keyboard instruments. Over time, he became involved with the administration of the Foundation, the building of the Harley Gallery and new craft studios. Having mounted a number of Gallery displays of the Portland family’s works of art, he was invited to be the curator of that great collection. Now long retired, he continues his research into Welbeck’s rich history.