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]

Willersley Castle in 2008

Standing in 60 acres (240,000 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]

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, following the purchase of 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 1922.

The estate was bought in 1927 by a group of Methodist businessmen, and in 1928 it opened as a Methodist Guild holiday centre.[7] During World War II it served as a maternity hospital run by the Salvation Army.

It continued to operate as a Methodist Guild hotel then as a Christian Guild hotel until its closure in 2020.[8]

The name Willersley

The name Willersley comes from the ancient manor or estate. The adjacent manors of Cromford and Willersley were partitioned in 1615.[9]

The name Willersley also appears in:

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References
  1. "HeritageGateway - Home *". www.heritagegateway.org.uk.
  2. Historic England. "Willersley Castle  (Grade II*) (1248280)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  3. "General history: Gentry | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk.
  4. "Heritage OpenDays site".
  5. Arkwright Society News
  6. Chaddesden Historical Group newsletter
  7. "Home | Willersley Castle | Christian Guild Hotels". www.christianguild.co.uk.
  8. "Historic Derbyshire castle hotel announces it has closed". 7 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  9. "Cromford in Derbyshire: History". www.cromfordvillage.co.uk.
  10. "Peak District, Derbyshire Climbing Venue Willersley, Cromford Nr. Matlock. Trad Limestone". www.thepeakdistrict.info.
  11. "Willersley Castle Rocks". www.ukclimbing.com.

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