20 pictures show the vanished country houses of Chesterfield and Derbyshire - including Wingfield Manor, Sutton Scarsdale Hall, Alfreton Hall and Wingerworth Hall
These pictures into the past show some of the lost country houses which once dotted the countryside around Chesterfield and Derbyshire.
By Julia Rodgerson
Published 20th Dec 2021, 13:14 BST
Updated 27th Feb 2024, 13:06 BST
They include a ruined mansion which once served as a backdrop to a Hollywood film, the former manor homes of the wealthiest and best-known Derbyshire families and several houses built on the historic sites of much older Medieval country seats.
Chesterfield and District Civic Society has produced a list of lost, or much reduced, country properties within a 10-mile radius of Chesterfield.
Others not pictured include Wingfield Manor at South Wingfield, Whittington Manor, Walton Hall, Spital House, Sutton Scarsdale Hall, Park House at Pilsley, Linacre Hall at Brampton and Caus Hall at Old Brampton.
We’ve also included photos and illustrations of historic lost buildings from the archives, including Melbourne Castle.
Others not pictured include Wingfield Manor at South Wingfield, Whittington Manor, Walton Hall, Spital House, Sutton Scarsdale Hall, Park House at Pilsley, Linacre Hall at Brampton and Caus Hall at Old Brampton.
17. Drakelowe Hall
Drakelowe Hall, Derbyshire, home of Baronet Gresley, c1880. The Elizabethan house was demolished in 1934 to make way for Drakelowe Power Station. A print from A Series of Picturesque Views of Seats of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, edited by Reverend FO Morris, Volume II, William Mackenzie, London, c1880. Wood-engraved plates after paintings by Benjamin Fawcett and Alexander Francis Lydon. (Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images) Photo: Print Collector
The Old Hall, Hardwick, from "Illustrated London News", May 23, 1863. The historically significant Hardwick Old Hall is cared for by English Heritage, while the ‘new’ Hall located next door is owned and managed by the National Trust. Artist Unknown. (Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images) Photo: Heritage Images
Municipal Hall, Chesterfield, c1956. The Municipal Hall (Old Court House) looking from the bowling green. Chesterfield's Municipal Hall was built in 1847 on the site of the Old Hall. It was built 12 years after the passing of the Municipal Reform Act of 1835 and was used as a Council Chamber and Police Court. The building is now demolished. (Photo by NEMPR Picture the Past/Heritage Images/Getty Images) Photo: Heritage Images
Wingfield Manor, near Alfreton, 1894. The manor, now ruined, was built by Ralph Cromwell, Lord Treasurer to Henry VI, in about 1435-1440. Originally the house consisted of two large courts; the outer (or southern) made up of barns, stables, guard-houses and other lowlier buildings; the inner (or northern), of the hall, kitchen, and the chambers occupied by the family. Under Henry VIII the manor was in the possession of the Earl of Shrewsbury and Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned here for nine years during the reign of Elizabeth I. Wingfield continued to be the residence of the Shrewsburys until the death of Earl Gilbert in 1616. After this, the property was sold to Mr Imanuel Halton. In 1817, it was still in the possession of one of the Halton family, but not then inhabited. The last of the family who resided here wished to build himself a house at the foot of the high hill upon which the mansion stands and pulled down and unroofed part of the old house to construct Wingfield Hall. This left Wingfield Manor open to the elements and it quickly fell to ruins. From Beautiful Britain; views of our stately homes. [The Werner Company of Chicago, 1894]. Artist Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images) Photo: Print Collector