The garden facade from a circa 1897 postcard
The entrance facade from a 1919 postcard
Built / Designed For: Rowland Morewood
House & Family History: In 1887 an infamous Christmas party was hosted at Alfreton by its owner, Charles Palmer-Morewood, who had, as his guests, his four brothers. After dinner the group retired to the library, where Charles was attacked by his brothers, who tried to force him, at revolver-point, to sign over outstanding inheritances to them (it was later claimed that the brothers had drawn lots to determine which one of them would kill Charles should he not sign the document). Charles refused to sign; he was later found alive, but bloody and naked, by his servants. Charles pressed charges against his brothers, all of whom skipped bail and fled abroad, together with their sister, Ellen Miller-Mundy (Mrs. Miller-Mundy had recently left her husband for Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, the 20th Earl of Shrewsbury; her husband, seated at nearby Shipley Hall, consequently began divorce proceedings against his scandal-ridden wife). In May 1963 Derbyshire County Council acquired the house and approximately 90 acres of parkland for £28,500. Because of mining subsidence, Alfreton Hall was mostly demolished in 1968; the 1855 wing, which is today Grade II-listed, was converted into an arts and adult education center. Alfreton was sold to Genesis Social Enterprise in 2006 by the county council and now hosts conferences, banquets, and weddings.
Garden & Outbuildings: Most of the estate became part of a public park in the 1960s.
Architect: Benjamin Wilson
Date: 1855John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. II, p. 94 & 111, 1855.
Title: Smith of Warwick: Francis Smith, Architect and Master-Builder
Author: Gomme, Andor
Year Published: 2000
Reference: pg. 166
Publisher: Lincolnshire: Shaun Tyas
ISBN: 1900289385
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Grade II
Park Listed: Not Listed
Past Seat / Home of: Rowland Morewood, 18th century; Charles Palmer-Morewood, 19th century; Palmer-Morewood family here from the 17th century until the 1960s.
Current Ownership Type: Corporation
Primary Current Ownership Use: Mixed Use
Ownership Details: Since 2006 used as a conference, banquet, and wedding venue.
House Open to Public: By Appointment
Phone: 01773-838-200
Email: info@alfretonhall.com
Website: http://www.alfretonhall.com
Historic Houses Member: No