Oakhurst House

Oakhurst House is a derelict building in Shining Cliff Woods above the village of Ambergate in Derbyshire. The house was built in 1848 by Francis Hurt behind his iron forge in Ambergate. It was owned by the Johnson family of industrialists for many years who were benefactors in the local area, building the parish church of St. Anne at Ambergate.

Oakhurst House
Eastern elevation of house, showing 1848 entrance; 1888 and 1894 extensions
General information
Type	Country house
Architectural style	Arts and Crafts, Jacobean[1]
Location	near Ambergate, Derbyshire
Country	England
Coordinates	53.0661°N 1.4934°W / 53.0661; -1.4934
Completed	1848
Cost	£1000 (1847 Rebuild)
Client	Midland Railway Company, Richard Johnson & Nephew Wireworks
Design and construction
Architect	Charles Trubshaw, John Douglas
Main contractor	Robinsons of Belper (1847 Rebuild)

History

19th–early 20th century

Originally a forge house, it was leased by the Hurts to the Iron Master Charles Mold, who died there in 1846. Hurt persuaded the young William Henry Mold to live at Oakhurst in 1847 and promised £1,000 to rebuild it. Construction of the new house was by Robinson of Belper and the new house was ready for occupation in 1848. Mold occupied the house and forge until 1859 when all works ceased.[2]

The forge and house appear to have remained vacant until in 1876 the forge was purchased by the Richard Johnson and Nephew wire company of Manchester and a wireworks was established on the site. [3] The house was retained by the Hurt family until 1888 when it was purchased by The Midland Railway, with their architect Charles Trubshaw extending the house for the chief engineer. Also built at this time were a range of stone stables situated just north of the house.

In 1893, the house was purchased by Thewlis Johnson, owner of the forge, and it was extended further in 1894 by architect John Douglas in the neo-Jacobean Arts and Crafts style for which it is best known locally. Between 1924 and 1939, the house was used as a retreat for the local diocese. The house is described as a "fair-sized country mansion" with "accommodation for twenty four" and a "large room being converted to a comely chapel".[4]

Late 20th–21st century

With the post-war housing crisis, Oakhurst House was divided into twelve flats during 1945. However, during the 1970s with the deteriorating condition of the building and an increase in local council housing the residents were found alternative accommodation. Since then, the house has remained unoccupied and is now derelict.

In 1994, permission was granted to demolish the house as it was beyond repair; however, the permission has now expired and no demolition has taken place. In 2000 the wireworks and estate were purchased by the Lichfield Group and the wireworks are now used as industrial storage. The stables and various other estate buildings are now leased as private accommodation.

Current deterioration

• 
  Showing current extent of dereliction with floor joists and window frames collapsed
• 
  Rear bay of the garden façade, constructed in 1894 with Johnson family crest
• 
  Interior detailing on ruin wall showing where floor joists were hung and former fireplaces
• 
  Showing north-eastern elevation from drive, 1894 neo-Jacobean sections in fair condition when compared to rest of the house

References

1. Craven, Maxwell; Stanley, Michael (2002). The Lost Houses of Derbyshire. Landmark. ISBN 9781843060642.
2. Letter from William Henry Mold dated 1900 to H.A Johnson of Ambergate Wireworks, successors to Mold on the site
3. The Part We Play. Richard Johnson & Nephew Co. 1947.
4. Ham, Canon H (1927). The Diocesan Retreat House.