Alfreton Hall

Infobox building
building_name = Alfreton Hall
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former_names =
building_type = Hall
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location = Alfreton, Derbyshire
owner =
current_tenants =
landlord =
coordinates =
start_date = 1724
completion_date = 1725
demolition_date = 1968
height =
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main_contractor =
architect =
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services_engineer =
civil_engineer =
other_designers = Benjamin Wilson
quantity_surveyor =
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Alfreton Hall was at the heart of local social and industrial history in Derbyshire. The history of the estate goes back to Norman times. By the 17th Century it was owned by the Morewood family, who were linked to local industry, mainly in coal mining. A new hall was built on the estate around 1724-25 by Rowland Morewood, with an additional wing added in 1855 by Benjamin Wilson. This made the hall a very substantial property.

A strange case

In 1887, a Christmas party was held at Alftreton Hall where the host, Charles Palmer-Morewood, invited his four brothers. After the meal they all retired to the library where the host was set upon by the four brothers with a revolver. It was claimed that they had drawn lots to decide who would kill him should their threats for him to not sign over outstanding inheritances not being realised. The host was found naked by his servants and he placed charges against his brothers. The brothers all skipped bail and went abroad taking with them a sister who had recently left her husband for the Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, the young Earl of Shrewsbury. The sister, Ellen Miller-Mundy, nee Palmer-Morewood, was married to Captain Mundy of Shipley Hall who issued proceedings for divorce [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D05E5DE123BE033A2575AC2A9679C94639FD7CF Strange British Crime] , 29 January 1888, New York Times, accessed 30 May 2008]

Today

In 1957 the Derbyshire County Council acquired the building and surrounding four acres of land. The property was sold to Genesis Social Enterprise in 2006.

Most of the house was demolished in 1968, having been substantially weakened by mining subsidence. However the 1855 extension, which has Grade II listed building status, was converted into an arts and adult education centre and the land became part of an attractive public park, providing facilities for swimming and other sports.

In 2006 Alfreton Hall was fully restored to its former grandeur and now provides conferencing and banqueting facilities which can be used for concerts, conferences and weddings. It also hosts the I-ACE development programmes and other events.

Alfreton Hall now has a French style restaurant open Wednesday to Saturday 6pm - 11pm, Lunchtimes: Tuesday - Friday 12noon - 3pm and for Sunday lunches between 12noon and 4pm.

Reference

* [http://www.heritage-gateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=79049&resourceID=5 English Heritage; Listed building description]

References

External links

* [http://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/content.php?categoryId=1191 Peak District Online - Alfreton Hall]
* [http://www.alfretonhall.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.i-ace.biz/alfreton-hall.html I-ACE at Alfreton Hall]
* [http://www.alfretonwiki.co.uk/alfretonwiki/index.php?title=Alfreton_Hall Alfreton Hall Info and Pictures on Alfreton Wiki]