Oakhurst House

Oakhurst House
Large country house by river with wooded hillside beyond- 1900 postcard
Eastern elevation of house, showing 1848 entrance; 1888 and 1894 extensions
General information
Type Country house
Architectural style Arts and Crafts, Jacobean[1]
Location near Ambergate, Derbyshire
Country England
Coordinates 53°03′58″N 1°29′36″W / 53.0661°N 1.4934°W / 53.0661; -1.4934Coordinates: 53°03′58″N 1°29′36″W / 53.0661°N 1.4934°W / 53.0661; -1.4934
Completed 1848
Client Midland Railway Company, Richard Johnson & Nephew Wireworks
Design and construction
Architect Charles Trubshaw, John Douglas
Main contractor Robinsons of Belper (1847 rebuild)

Oakhurst House is a building in Shining Cliff Woods above the village of Ambergate in Derbyshire. The house was built in 1848 by Francis Hurt behind his iron forge in Ambergate. It was owned by the Johnson family of industrialists for many years who were benefactors in the local area, building the parish church of St. Anne at Ambergate.

History

19th–early 20th century

In 1848, local landowner Francis Hurt constructed a house of Ashover Grit sandstone behind his iron forge at Ambergate. This house was initially planned to house his four unmarried daughters in order to free up his main seat of Alderwasley Hall for his male heir. However, they refused and a much grander house called Chase Cliffe was constructed near Crich, Derbyshire. It was then decided to lease the forge with the house used as accommodation.

The forge was run by various smiths but in 1876 it was purchased by the Richard Johnson and Nephew wire company of Manchester and a wireworks was established on the site of the forge.[2] The house was retained by the Hurt family until 1888 when it was purchased by The Midland Railway, with their architect Charles Trubshaw extending the house for the chief engineer. Also built at this time were a range of stone stables situated just north of the house.

In 1893, the house was purchased by Thewlis Johnson and it was extended further in 1894 by architect John Douglas in the neo-Jacobean Arts and Crafts style for which it is best known locally. Between 1924 and 1939, the house was used as a retreat for the local diocese. The house is described as a "fair-sized country mansion" with "accommodation for twenty four" and a "large room being converted to a comely chapel".[3]

Late 20th–21st century

With the post-war housing crisis, Oakhurst House was unceremoniously divided into twelve flats during 1945. However, during the 1970s with the deteriorating condition of the building and an increase in local council housing the residents were found alternative accommodation. Since then, the house has remained unoccupied and is now derelict.

In 1994, permission was granted to demolish the house as it was beyond repair; however, the permission has now expired and no demolition has taken place. In 2000 the wireworks and estate were purchased by the Lichfield Group and the wireworks are now used as industrial storage. The stables and various other estate buildings are now leased as private accommodation.

Current deterioration

References

  1. ↑ Craven, Maxwell; Stanley, Michael (2002). The Lost Houses of Derbyshire. Landmark. ISBN 9781843060642.
  2. ↑ The Part We Play. Richard Johnson & Nephew Co. 1947.
  3. ↑ Ham, Canon H (1927). The Diocesan Retreat House.
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