Earlier Houses: There was an earlier house that was located to the east of the current house.

Built / Designed For: Rowland Morewood

House & Family History: Alfreton Hall was built in the early 18th century for the Morewood family, who had made their fortune in coal. On Christmas Day 1881 a dinner party was hosted at Alfreton by Charles Rowland Palmer-Morewood II, who was entertaining his mother and his three brothers: George, Alfred, and Ernest. After dinner the men retired to the library for cigars, brandy, and whisky. Inflamed by alcohol, long-simmering resentments bubbled up and Charles was physically attacked by his brothers, who tried to force him to sign over outstanding inheritances from their late father’s will that Charles had refused to distribute to his siblings. Declining to put his signature to the papers, Charles was beaten, knifed, and kicked by his brothers; he was found alive, bloody and naked by his servants (it was later claimed that the brothers had drawn lots to determine which one of them would kill Charles should he not sign the documents). Charles pressed charges against his brothers, all of whom skipped bail and fled abroad. Just a few years earlier (in 1879), the brothers' sister, Ellen Miller-Mundy, deserted her husband and daughter and eloped with the 19-year-old 20th Earl of Shrewsbury; her husband, Alfred Miller-Mundy, seated at nearby Shipley Hall, began divorce proceedings against his scandal-ridden wife (she married Lord Shrewsbury in 1882). 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.

John 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.

House Listed: Grade II

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Anthony Morewood, 17th century; John Morewood, 17th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Rowland Morewood, 18th century; George Morewood, until 1792; The Rev. Henry Morewood (Case), until 1825; William Palmer-Morewood, 1825-63; Charles Rowland Palmer-Morewood I, 1863-75; Charles Rowland Palmer-Morewood II, 1875-1910; Rowland Charles Arthur Palmer-Morewood, 1910-57.

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: [email protected]

Website: https://www.alfretonhall.com

Historic Houses Member: No