Willersley Castle
Willersley Castle is a late 18th-century country mansion above the River Derwent at Cromford, Derbyshire, which is now a Grade II* listed building.[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. Arkwright planted many trees, though not before clearing away a large limestone rock, which cost £3,000.[6]
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. In 1796 his son, Richard Arkwright junior, moved into it with his family, and the Arkwright family lived there until World War I. During the war, the castle served as an auxilliary hospital.[7] The estate was bought in 1927 by a group of Methodist businessmen, and in 1928 it opened as a Methodist Guild holiday centre.[8] During World War II it served as a hospital.[9]
After the war, the property continued to operate as a Methodist Guild hotel, then as a Christian Guild hotel, "with some 30,000sq ft of living space over three floors, as well as further accommodation in the mews house and gate house" according to Country Life (magazine).[10] It 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.[11]
The name Willersley
The name Willersley comes from the ancient manor or estate. The adjacent manors of Cromford and Willersley were partitioned in 1615.[12]
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,[13] also called Willersley Castle Rocks.[14]
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
- ^ Chaddesden Historical Group newsletter
- ^ 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) - ^ "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.