A return visit to Alstonefield Hall
On Sunday, DHBT supporters had the rare opportunity to return to Alstonefield Hall, just over the Derbyshire border in Staffordshire, four years after our previous visit in 2022.
This remarkable Grade II* listed manor house stands just north-west of Alstonefield’s medieval parish church. The Hall was built - or more accurately rebuilt - in 1587, during the reign of Elizabeth I, by John Harpur, son and heir of a wealthy London judge and an ancestor of the Harpur Crewes of Calke Abbey. Parts of the building are believed to be considerably older.
Over the centuries the Hall gradually declined in status, latterly becoming a working farmhouse. Only part of the building remained in use, leaving many of its rooms remarkably unchanged for generations.
When we visited in 2022, plans were being developed to secure its future. Since then, Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent have been granted for the proposed restoration works and new extension. Although restoration has not yet begun, Sunday’s visit gave members a fascinating opportunity to see the Hall in its current state and to hear more about what is planned.
Our tour was led by Dan Greenway, Director of Evans Vettori Architects and a DHBT Trustee, who explained the progress made since our last visit, the challenges presented by this extraordinary building and the proposals for its repair and restoration.
We are extremely grateful to the owner for once again allowing DHBT access to the Hall before work begins and to DHBT Trustee, Peter Milner, for co-ordinating the visit.
You can read about our first visit to Alstonefield Hall in 2022 here:
https://www.derbyshirehistoricbuildingstrust.org.uk/post/alstonefield-hall-visit-25th-september-2022
