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" An exceptionally rare opportunity to purchase a unique, historic and spacious Grade II listed property in an idyllic rural location just minutes from the bustling market towns of Wirksworth and Belper. Featured in Pevsner's architectural guide and on the market for the first time in 32 years. We think this lovely home is almost perfect, ready and waiting for the next owners to love it as much as the last and make it their own.

The history: Alderwasley Hall became part of the Hurt family estate around 1690. Our home bears an inscription of A.F.H. 1893 denoting its place in the heart of this then considerable estate which was broken up in the 1920's-30's. In the 1700's the estate was renowned for its oak timber and deer park. All Saints church sits just across the road from our property but all else in this lovely setting seems relatively unchanged since the Hurts built the Old Vicarage in the 18th Century. The location: Situated just over the hill, east of Wirksworth and approximately 6 miles from Belper, the location feels quintessentially English. A small collection of lovely homes, the church, the original Hall - which is now a school -and little else for several miles but the surrounding wildlife, gently rolling hills, fields and woodlands. This home provides the get away from it all' dream whilst equally being a short drive from all the necessary amenities and extremely well positioned for national transport hubs and/or commuting destinations. Distances: Sheffield 22 miles, Nottingham 17 miles, Derby 13 miles, East Midlands Airport 38 miles. Trains are available from nearby Whatstandwell (a 5 minute drive), leading to the national rail hub at Derby.
NB As there is a school along the lane, the roads are well maintained and kept open, even during heavy winter weather. Life at the Old Vicarage: The current owners have loved their time at the Old Vicarage but, now their family have grown, it is time for them to move on, leaving this lovely old home ready to receive its new owners. The Old Vicarage has been much loved and provides a stunning structure and foundation for the next occupants to make their mark. The historic and architecturally impressive features include Venetian and Diocletian windows, a galleried landing, space in buckets and grounds in which to relax, entertain, play and stroll. A word from the owners: We arrived with toddler son from Hertfordshire, fully expecting to move back south within a few years then second son arrived, and we're still here.

Alderwasley is a very friendly place and all of our neighbours are great looking after the cat if we are away for a weekend, or keeping an eye on the house during longer trips (moving post off the doormat, watering plants, etc). The centre of the village is the 14th century village hall (recently refurbished with the aid of a lottery grant) where there are weekly events but also occasions when the village comes together, like the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations. There is also an annual harvest supper.

We have loved living here, and the family who were here before us stayed for 23 years, so it's a real family place. Our sons used to enjoy the rope swing from the cedar tree; damming Pendleton Brook, which runs through the garden; having a club house in the shed at the top of the garden; and playing bandits in the jungle' (big clump of trees and laurels).

At New Year for a number of years, we had several families stay with us, all friends, so there were about 27 of us packed in to the house: adult couples in the bedrooms, all the boys sleeping on the floor in the big sitting room, the girls in the other. We had a New Year's Eve barbeque with fireworks, and the years it snowed, we all went sledging in the fields. Then we had a ceilidh, as good Scots should. It was such fun!


One of our favourite times these days is to sit out on the terrace on summer evenings, listening to the birds and exchanging news about our day, then enjoying a leisurely meal. The scent of the honeysuckle, and cut grass, adds to the pleasure The home in brief: Downstairs:
From the country lane a gravel path leads past the off-street parking to the front door and into a wide reception hallway. To one side is the lovely dual aspect sitting room with open fireplace. Engineered oak boards run through this room, the hall and stairs and into the dining/drawing room. Across the hallway is a spacious room which could be used as a dining or more formal drawing room (or indeed both). This large space has two entrance doorways and dual aspect windows. Both of the reception rooms feature stunning Venetian windows, credited in the 1986 listing of the property. A corridor and inner lobby leads to the dining kitchen (with a door to the rear). The dining kitchen is a great space, now ready for refurbishment, but with plenty of space for extensive units, all the usual household appliances and a large dining table. The hob is currently powered by Calor gas tanks. Beyond the kitchen is a very useful boot room

(again with a further door to the rear), modern shower room, boiler-room and outside is the rear entrance to the garages. Upstairs: Back to the reception hallway and to the first floor we find a wide galleried landing with the original and beautiful Venetian - along with two Diocletian windows continuing at first floor level.
The master bedroom is a light and spacious room with views over the gardens, the fabulous mature cedar tree and beyond towards the church. There is plenty of space if required to add an en suite in this room

(subject to necessary permissions). Across the landing is the second front facing (dual aspect) guest room. This is a lovely room with a built in cupboard and vaulted ceiling. Along the corridor is a walk in cupboard, access to the loft, a further double dual aspect bedroom and down a couple of steps takes us into the family bathroom which contains the airing cupboard. A short corridor leads to bedroom 4 which is currently used as a study and beyond into the last (good sized) double bedroom. Dimensions: (Maximum size in metres)

Reception hall 3.66 x 3.36
Sitting room 5.89 x 3.63
Drawing/Dining room 9.42 x 4.07
Inner Hall 3.72 x 1.59
Dining kitchen 7.09 x 3.71
Boot room 1.71 x 1.66
Shower room 2.93 x 1.63
Boiler Room 3.97 x 2.09

Galleried landing 3.61 x 3.38
Bedroom 2 4.93 x 4.53
Bedroom 3 4.97 x 3.60
Bathroom 3.10 x 1.64
Study/Bedroom 5 3.13 x 2.67
Master bedroom 5.31 x 3.61
Bedroom 4 4.11 x 3.79 The outside space: Outside can be found a good sized double garage, two very useful outbuildings, and a further (now roofless) small stone outbuilding on the boundary. A garden stretches to the rear of the property with mature trees and lawn, and to the side of the property (leading to the kitchen and boot room doors) is a large stone flagged terrace, perfect for dining al fresco and watching the abundant bird life. To the front are the main gardens, fenced from the lane for privacy and laid predominantly to lawn with a range of shrubs, a nature/wild garden, and mature trees. The garden is bounded by a small brook and a fantastic, mature cedar. Along with the double garage, there is off-road parking for two cars. Practicals: - oil fired central heating
- mains water
- Klargester septic tank with run-away grey water disposal
- Council band G
- engineered oak floors to several rooms
- as a listed property, this home is exempt from an EPC rating More about the area: The 17th Century Bear at Alderwasley' is a short drive, but within a 20 minute drive, a hugely diverse range of gourmet eateries are to be found. Independent shopping, a newly opened independent cinema, incorporating a tapas bar, wine bar, and further restaurants, cafes and public houses are located only a few minutes away by car in the 12th Century hidden gem' of Wirksworth. Everything one could possibly need may be found 15 minutes away in nearby bustling Belper again blessed with an independent cinema, supermarkets and a range of shops and activities. The spa town of Matlock (with a Sainsbury's and M&S Food Hall) is approximately 15 minutes from our property. The elegant town of Ashbourne, just 13 miles south of Alderwasley houses an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants and a Waitrose - alongside a large number of prestigious antique shops.
It really is too difficult to list the opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts in this area. There are numerous public footpaths and bridleways surrounding the property this part of the Derbyshire Dales is a magnet for walkers, riders, cyclists, and of course, watersport enthusiasts, as Carsington Water is a mere 15 minutes drive from the farm. Just up the hill from the Old Vicarage are Shining Cliff woods, originally part of the deer park mentioned but now a haven for walkers and wildlife alike. There is climbing potential, less than 10 minutes drive away at Black Rocks and the Peak Park itself stretches to the south and east. Further famous climbing opportunities at Stanage and Burbage Edges' are only 30 minutes away. The diversity of geology in the countryside of the Park offers every possible escape, from pot holing to hang gliding, from the hills and valleys of limestone in the south or White Peak' and the granite in the Dark Peak' of the North. Cultural activities: We are proud that this area is home to some of the best National Trust (eg Hardwick Hall and Bolsover Castle), and privately owned (eg Chatsworth House Tissington, Kedleston and Haddon Halls) country houses in the country. Buxton, with its opera house and theatres is just 35 minutes North West by car. Wirksworth is on the doorstep and may have been better known for its previous life as a once prosperous lead mining and limestone quarrying town. More recently it has developed a strong bohemian streak with independent shops, cinema and a huge array of cultural and performance events running throughout the year and culminating in an annual Arts Festival which has gained a national and international reputation, seeing the town double in size with visitors every September. Directions and viewing: From our Wirksworth office, turn left along the Market Place and immediately right onto the B5035 (Wash Green). Pass the heritage railway station and continue along this road to the very top of the hill. With the Malt Shovel public house on your left, take the right turn, signed Alderwasley. Continue on this road, passing The Bear (public house) and continuing ahead. As the road bears left, take a left turn, downhill onto Higg Lane. You will pass the entrance to Shining Cliff Woods. After about a mile, the Old Vicarage can be seen on the left identified by our sales board, just before the right turn into Alderwasley Hall school.

Further information and viewing requests:
Please contact Jacqueline Ashmore, Associate Director, Homes of Distinction at Grant's of Derbyshire on 07531 663393 including out of office hours. Disclaimer: All measurements in these details are approximate. None of the fixed appliances or services have been tested and no warranty can be given to their condition. The deeds have not been inspected by the writers of these details. These particulars are produced in good faith with the approval of the vendor but they should not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact and they do not constitute any part of an offer or contract. "