A wonderful Grade II * listed period village house set in approximately 8 acres.
A fine, well-presented Grade II* listed Arts and Crafts family house in a quiet situation on the edge of the village and set in approximately 8 acres.
House - Derbyshire
An excellent family house with large, spacious rooms featuring a wealth of original period features. The house is approached of the road up a gravel driveway with lawns either side, leading to a gateway to the front of the house and an area of parking for several vehicles. An inner courtyard, which is laid to stone setts, gives access to a large garage and then to the rear driveway.
Situation
Leawood Hall is situated on the edge of the village with wonderful views over open countryside yet within a few minutes drive of Cromford Station with its links to Derby and then London from 1 hour 23 minutes. It is on the edge of the Peak District National Park with all the wonderful opportunities for outdoor activities. There is also good access to the national motorway network.
Historical Note
Lea Wood is possibly the earliest and certainly one of the finest domestic manifestation of the Arts and Crafts movement in Derbyshire. Indeed the original plans sit in the V and A museum on London. It was built 1874-76 for William and Mary Walker by W Eden Nesfield and Norman Shaw, two eminent architects and close associates of William Morris and the Rosetti’s. the intertwined initial of William and Mary Walker are to be found on a plaque at the front of the house and in a window in the drawing room.
William Walkers father had bought the land for the house from Peter Nightingale, father of Florence. Mr Walker senior had been a successful local manufacturer of hats, especially military headgear used in the Crimean war. Later the Walker family sold the house to Harold Futvoye Lea, brother in law of John Marston Smedley, owner of the eponymous factory at Lea Bridge.
Leawood Hall is built in coarse ashlar of Ashover Grit and is of two storeys. The interior is well planned and decorated with Queen Anne revival stucco, light oak panelling and some flamboyant chimney pieces.
The grounds and gardens are of independent historic and artistic interest and are featured in the book ‘Historic Gardens of Derbyshire’. They were landscaped by William Barron, a local designer responsible for Elvaston Castle and other well known gardens in the region. The Leawood garden however also features input from the father of Eden Nesfield, William Andrew Nesfield, responsible for the layout of large parts of Kew Gardens and Regents Park in London.
Property Features
- House
- 6+ bed
- 6+ bath
- 2 Parking Spaces
- 2 No. of Garages
