Building record MDR9799 - Alderwasley Hall, Alderwasley

The hall is a handsome and substantial built stone mansion, situated on rising ground on the west bank of the river Derwent, surrounded by hanging woods that crown the neighbouring hills. A deer park and rich lawn, adorned with venerable oaks, spread before the mansion and affords many beautiful landscapes. The gardens are well stored with excellent vineries, pineries, etc. The timber on this estate is considered equal to any in the kingdom; and trees of great magnitude have been felled. For many years past Mr Hurt has regularly cut down timber producing upwards of 2,000 pounds per annum. (1) Alderwasley Hall, the seat of Albert Frederick Hurt Esq., is supposed to stand on the spot once occupied by the hunting seat of the Earls of Lancaster. The house was considerably enlarged between the years 1796 and 1800. (2) Alderwasley Hall is a Grade II late 18th century Country House with 19th additions and is now a school. It is constructed from massive ashlar gritstone with a smooth rendered and painted façade, a moulded cornice with parapet above, ashlar intermediate ridge stacks with moulded caps, slated and lead roof coverings. It has a symmetrical main range, with an attached range to the rear, and added wings at either end to the rear. The main range is of three storeys above a basement with seven bays, the central bay is pedimented and slightly advanced. The house was built for Francis Hurt. (3) The pair of ashlar gritstone gate piers and the ornamental cast iron gates at the eastern entrance to Alderwasley Hall are late 18th century Grade II structures. (4) The pair of ashlar gritstone gate piers and the ornamental cast iron gates at the western entrance to Alderwasley Hall are late 18th century Grade II structures. (5) The main façade of the hall is Georgian of seven bays, the central bay pedimented with tripartite central window and tripartite semicircular window above it, and a large stone porch of 1845, stuccoed and very plain. There are large 19th century stone additions at the back, and further 20th century extensions for the school. At the entrance there are two altered lodges, originally with Diocletian above Venetian windows. (6) Alderwasley Hall is a very plain 18th century house with a late 18th century façade. The house possibly stands on the site of a much earlier house of probable Tudor date, described by Pilkington (1789) as "an ancient house". The estate was broken up and sold in 1920. (7) Alderwasley Hall, the former home of the Hurt family has, in recent years, has been put to various educational uses. Within the gates of the park is Alderwasley Church. The Hurt family were involved in lead smelting and one souvenir of charcoal burning still remains in the form of a fire damaged yew tree known as "Betty Kenny's Tree". Betty came with her husband and young family every year to burn charcoal. They lived in an improvised hut and in good weather the baby slept outside in a hollow branch of a tree. (8) School erected in 1843. Now private residence. (9)