Edensor Village in Derbyshire

There is a lovely, little, historic village called Edensor (but pronounced ‘Ensor’) in the countryside, just outside Sheffield. For hundreds of years it has housed the servants for Chatsworth House: a massive stately home, around a mile away.

Edensor is so old it is mentioned in the Domesday Book, but has been re-sited since then.

Believe it or not, it was moved, because the 4th Duke of Devonshire felt it spoiled his view from the house. He had the old village completely dismantled and built the present one just out of sight down the road!

It’s a lovely place to draw, as every house is different but all are unusual and lovely, with lots of quirky architectural details.

I was sketching in the summer, when a lady came out of one house and gave me a cup of tea (in a proper china teacup) and a generous slice of chocolate cake! She said I was working so hard, I deserved it.

It’s magical moments like that which make me so grateful for my ability to sketch.

I have been experimenting with digital painting, so all the colour was only added very recently: with snow and ice outside, warm summer days are just a faint memory!