Visit to Parwich Hall - 23rd June 2024

An account of the visit to Parwich Hall this afternoon, written by DHBT supporter and co-tour leader, Mark Somerfield.

Many thanks to the owners for generously allowing this visit to take place.

"A pleasurable Sunday afternoon spent supporting the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust with a tour of Parwich Hall (circa 1740) just north of Ashbourne, which is a very interesting late Queen Anne style house built on the extant foundations of a much earlier manor house dating from around 1600 (Pevsner thought it very interesting during his visit). The house has been adapted almost every century since, with the latest edition of a garden library only a few years ago. It was one of the first buildings to be listed in the county, way back in 1952!

The garden itself is an early Arts & Crafts design (by Tapper), with beautifully tiered terraces and interest around every corner. The glorious mid-summer sunshine definitely provided a fitting backdrop and the local Open Gardens event only proved to add more opportunities to explore the village in greater detail. It never felt like work for a minute, although I could have definitely done with more sun block!"

Photo credit: Mark Somerfield