Willersley Castle: Difference between revisions
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At the time of purchase there was no large house here, just a few farms and "Derwent House", which still stands off the main drive. Those farm buildings, later converted to residences, are not included in the historic listing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001459|website=Historic England}}</ref> Arkwright planted many trees, though not before clearing away a large limestone rock, which cost £3,000.<ref>[http://www.westparkcommunity.co.uk/PDF/chaddesdenhistorical/autumn2008.pdf Chaddesden Historical Group newsletter]</ref> |
At the time of purchase there was no large house here, just a few farms and "Derwent House", which still stands off the main drive. Those farm buildings, later converted to residences, are not included in the historic listing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001459|website=Historic England}}</ref> Arkwright planted many trees, though not before clearing away a large limestone rock, which cost £3,000.<ref>[http://www.westparkcommunity.co.uk/PDF/chaddesdenhistorical/autumn2008.pdf Chaddesden Historical Group newsletter]</ref> |
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In 1791, when the building was approaching completion, a fire broke out and severe damage was caused to part of the interior of the castle. Although the damage was repaired, Arkwright died in 1792 before the building was completed. Repairs were completed in 1792 by Thomas Gardner. In 1796, [[Richard Arkwright junior]], moved into the castle with his family |
In 1791, when the building was approaching completion, a fire broke out and severe damage was caused to part of the interior of the castle. Although the damage was repaired, Arkwright died in 1792 before the building was completed. Repairs were completed in 1792 by Thomas Gardner. In 1796, [[Richard Arkwright junior]], moved into the castle with his family; his son Peter inherited the estate in 1843. Members of the Arkwright family lived there until [[World War I]]. During the early 1800's, visitors to the nearby [[Matlock Bath]] spa, were invited to visit the castle property and tour the gardens and pleasure grounds. During the war, the castle served as a maternity hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001459|website=Historic England}}</ref> |
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The estate was bought in 1927 by a group of [[Methodist]] businessmen, and in 1928 it opened as a Methodist Guild Holiday Centre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianguild.co.uk/willersley/index.php|title=Home | Willersley Castle | Christian Guild Hotels|website=www.christianguild.co.uk}}</ref> At an unstated later date, the stables were converted to residential use.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001459|website=Historic England}}</ref> |
The estate was bought in 1927 by a group of [[Methodist]] businessmen, and in 1928 it opened as a Methodist Guild Holiday Centre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianguild.co.uk/willersley/index.php|title=Home | Willersley Castle | Christian Guild Hotels|website=www.christianguild.co.uk}}</ref> At an unstated later date, the stables were converted to residential use.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001459|website=Historic England}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 14:15, 29 August 2020
Willersley Castle is a late 18th-century country mansion above the River Derwent at Cromford, Derbyshire, which has been Grade II* listed building since April 2000.[1][2]
Standing in 65 acres (260,000 m2) of grounds, the Georgian-style castellated house is three storeys with a seven-bay frontage, the central bay flanked by full-height round towers.[1] In recent years, the property operated as a hotel but was permanently closed and listed for sale in summer 2020.
History
Originally named "Willersley Hall",[3] it was built on the slopes of Wild Cat Tor, 400 feet (120 m) above sea level, for the occupation of the industrialist Sir Richard Arkwright by the architect William Thomas. Arkwright had purchased the estate in 1782 from Thomas Hallet Hodges for £8,864.[4][5]
At the time of purchase there was no large house here, just a few farms and "Derwent House", which still stands off the main drive. Those farm buildings, later converted to residences, are not included in the historic listing.[6] Arkwright planted many trees, though not before clearing away a large limestone rock, which cost £3,000.[7]
In 1791, when the building was approaching completion, a fire broke out and severe damage was caused to part of the interior of the castle. Although the damage was repaired, Arkwright died in 1792 before the building was completed. Repairs were completed in 1792 by Thomas Gardner. In 1796, Richard Arkwright junior, moved into the castle with his family; his son Peter inherited the estate in 1843. Members of the Arkwright family lived there until World War I. During the early 1800's, visitors to the nearby Matlock Bath spa, were invited to visit the castle property and tour the gardens and pleasure grounds. During the war, the castle served as a maternity hospital.[8]
The estate was bought in 1927 by a group of Methodist businessmen, and in 1928 it opened as a Methodist Guild Holiday Centre.[9] At an unstated later date, the stables were converted to residential use.[10]
During World War II, the castle served as a maternity hospital between 1940 and 1945. It subsequently returned to operating as a Methodist Guild hotel, then as a Christian Guild hotel. In 2020, the hotel had "some 30,000sq ft of living space over three floors, ... further accommodation in the mews house and gate house, grass tennis courts, a swimming pool and gym area" according to Country Life (magazine) in 2020.[11] The hotel was temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020. In July 2020, the company announced that the hotel would not reopen. It was subsequently listed for sale.[12]
The name Willersley
The name Willersley comes from the ancient manor or estate. The adjacent manors of Cromford and Willersley were partitioned in 1615.[13]
The name Willersley also appears in:
- the nearby Willersley Tunnel, which is 764 yards (699 m) long and lies between Cromford railway station and Matlock railway station.
- the nearby Willersley Crag,[14] also called Willersley Castle Rocks.[15]
References
- ^ a b "HeritageGateway - Home *". www.heritagegateway.org.uk.
- ^ Historic England. "Willersley Castle (Grade II*) (1248280)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ "General history: Gentry | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk.
- ^ "Heritage OpenDays site".
- ^ Arkwright Society News
- ^ Historic England https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001459.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Chaddesden Historical Group newsletter
- ^ Historic England https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001459.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Home | Willersley Castle | Christian Guild Hotels". www.christianguild.co.uk.
- ^ Historic England https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001459.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Country Life https://www.countrylife.co.uk/property/a-castle-that-might-just-pay-for-itself-has-come-to-the-market-in-one-of-englands-most-beautiful-areas-217901.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "'Stunning' Derbyshire castle hotel on the market after sudden closure". 4 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Cromford in Derbyshire: History". www.cromfordvillage.co.uk.
- ^ "Peak District, Derbyshire Climbing Venue Willersley, Cromford Nr. Matlock. Trad Limestone". www.thepeakdistrict.info.
- ^ "Willersley Castle Rocks". www.ukclimbing.com.