Architecture of the Old Hall, Youlgreave

The Old Hall is a piece of vernacular architecture, believed to have been rebuilt in its current form from the early 17th century following the hall house concept that dates back to the mediæval period. In keeping with its vernacular origins, it has been extended over time, with the east wing, the west wing and a rear service wing added in sequence.

The west wing was extended at its side elevation, probably in the 19th century, to expand the drawing room and master bedroom.

The former stable block, since converted into a house, is situated on the opposite side of the road, next to the former paddock (known as The Croft).

A Victorian conservatory abuts the side elevation of the east wing. This is believed to have been built under the orders of the then lady of the house as a smoking room, so that the ladies could keep an eye on, and hear the conversation of, the gentlemen from window seats at the end of the dining room.

The building is grade II listed. The citation accompanying its listing is:

“House. Early C17 with C19 and C20 alterations and additions. Coursed limestone and gritstone rubble with gritstone dressings and quoins. Stone slate roof with stone ridge stack and stone gable end stack to west, also moulded stone copings. Two storeys, originally lobby entrance plan but extended to half H-plan with additions to north and west. South elevation has chamfered flush quoined doorcase with studded wooden door, probably C19, and to west C19 or early C20 4-light recessed and chamfered mullion window with hoodmould. Remains of earlier window visible to west. To either side, advanced gabled bays, each with 6-light recessed and chamfered mullion window with central major mullion and hoodmould, that to east C17, that to west probably early C20. Above these, each bay has 5-light recessed and chamfered mullion window with hoodmould, again that to west early C20 copy of that to east. Recessed central section has a central full gabled attic dormer with C17 3-light recessed and chamfered mullion window with dripmould. All fenestration C20 leaded lights of various designs. Additions to west and north in similar style with mullioned windows. Interior has panelling dated 1650, possibly re-used from elsewhere and C19 staircase in C17 manner with flat frettied balusters.”

Roof timbers visible in the room known as the duel room and in a bedroom at the back of the east wing appear to have had earlier lives as the rudders of ships.

Quotes about the Old Hall:

"Youlgreave Hall has echoes of Hartington Hall ... both are of similar age." - Robson, A Gazeteer of the White Peak (1991). Hartington Hall was built in 1611.

"There's a vague tradition that the west wing was burnt down - or pulled down - and then rebuilt, which may well be true, of course. But there's a rather stronger tradition that the house was built piecemeal; that the spacious entrance hall - the horizontal stroke of the H - was the original house-place, virtually the whole house, and that the two wings were added later, the east perhaps in the early 17th century and the west later to give a balancing appearance. This theory is rather borne out by the sloping roof above the entrance hall. It looks as if the landing above the hall was a later addition and that the original house-place was open to the roof. In that event the original house must have been very early indeed." - Roy Christian, writing in Derbyshire Life and Countryside (1971)

"[T]he Old Hall of 1650 or 1656 ... has somewhat projecting symmetrical wings with five- and six-light mullioned windows and gables. (Its core may be earlier.) - Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, The Buildings of England (Derbyshire volume, 2nd ed, 1978)

"The 17th century Old Hall, a long, low dwelling on the northern side of [Main Street], is particularly attractive. With its many gables, mullioned windows and wisteria-clad walls, the building could have been lifted straight out of a Cotswold village." - Derbyshire Life, July 2003

The garden

The east garden was remodelled in 1989 by Peter Godley of Godley Gardens, Sheffield, chairman of the Garden Centres Association from 1974-75.

Against the north wall of the east garden is a stone outbuilding that contained the coal-fired heating system for an early orangery that is believed to have run the full length of the wall. The orangery was replaced with a smaller greenhouse that was rebuilt as a summerhouse and greenhouse in 2002-03.

Near to the external kitchen wall is a well, which is still in operation. Though no longer used as a source of drinking water, it has been used into the 21st century as a source of water for garden irrigation. It is believed that there is a further well beneath the kitchen itself.

On the west side of the house there is a flagpole, which replaced an earlier wooden flagpole. Successive generations of owners have continued the house tradition of occasionally flying the Union Flag as well as the flags of other countries or regions associated with the owners or their guests.