Earlier Houses: An earlier Elizabethan timber-framed hall house was replaced by the current house.

Built / Designed For: William Jessop

House & Family History: North Lees Hall is believed to have been the inspiration for Mr. Rochester's house, Thornfield Hall, in Charlotte Bronte's novel "Jane Eyre." In July of 1845, shortly before she wrote the novel, Charlotte stayed at the Hathersage Vicarage with her friend Ellen Nussey, with whom she visited the Eyre family at nearby North Lees Hall a number of times (the Eyres occupied the house between 1750 and 1882). By the late 19th century North Lees was deteriorating and unoccupied. Substantial repairs were made between 1962 and 1965 by the then-owner, Sir Hugh Beech, and the building was converted into a guest house. The Peak Park Joint Planning Board purchased the estate in 1971 and leased it to the Vivat Trust in 1988, who restored and converted the building into two holiday apartments. In 2015, after the Vivat Trust's bankruptcy, the house was converted into a home for let.

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: William Jessop, late 16th century. Eyre family, 1750-1882. General Sir Hugh Beech, 20th century.

Current Ownership Type: Government

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

Ownership Details: Owned by The Peak Park Joint Planning Board and let as a private home.

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No