Osmaston Hall
Encyclopedia
Osmaston Hall was built in 1696 in extensive grounds of what is now Osmaston
, a part of Derby
. The house was the home of the Wilmot Baronets
, and the Fox family before being used for a golf club and railway business. The house was demolished in 1938.
in 1689. Robert had the house rebuilt in 1702 and during the eighteenth century there were further additions and changes to not only the house but also its gardens and the extensive grounds. The Wilmot family were based at this house until the marriage of Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, 3rd Baronet to Anne Beatrix Horton, the heiress of Catton Hall
in 1823, whereupon the Wilmot family conjoined Horton to its name and changed its main residence. Notable members of the Wilmot family associated with the house not only include the first three Wilmot baronets of Osmaston but also Sir John Eardley Wilmot
who rose to be Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.
Its grounds covered 250 acres (1 km²) and included a small lake. The Wilmot family
lived on the estate for almost 200 years. Before it was purchased in 1890 by the Midland Railway Company it contained a fine art collection which included numerous paintings. The house and gardens were reportedly sold for £86,000. At the time of the purchase the hall was the home of the Reverend Sir George Lewis Wilmot-Horton, Bart. (who died in 1887).
It was the home to William Darwin Fox
who was a second cousin and close friend of Charles Darwin
who stayed at the hall. The Fox family were renting the house from the owner Sir Robert Wilmot, Bart
.
In October 1892 the hall was the location of a nine-hole golf course and was the home of the 120-member Derbyshire Golf Club. Within six years there were nearly 200 members including several notable gentry. Although the hall offered a home, the club obtained a course at Littleover
.
After the departure of the golf club, the Midland Railway used the building as a document store. The London, Midland and Scottish Railway
continued to use the hall as a store until they had the building, the adjoining farm and stables demolished in 1938. The grounds were purchased by Derby City Council in 1946-7. Today the grounds are occupied by the Ascot Drive Industrial estate in Derby, although Osmaston Park still shows a green outlook.
Osmaston, Derby
Osmaston is a suburb of the city of Derby, England. It is situated about 4 km south of the city centre, it is written in the Domesday Book as Osmundestune. In 1307 the manor of Osmaston was granted to Robert Holland. It was the location of Osmaston Hall the residence of the Wilmots Baronets...
, a part of Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
. The house was the home of the Wilmot Baronets
Wilmot Baronets
There have been three Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Wilmot, one in the Baronetage of Ireland and two in the Baronetage of Great Britain. One creation is extant as of 2008....
, and the Fox family before being used for a golf club and railway business. The house was demolished in 1938.
History
Osmaston Hall was built in 1696 in brick and stone for Robert Wilmot, High Sheriff of DerbyshireHigh Sheriff of Derbyshire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Derbyshire from 1568.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been...
in 1689. Robert had the house rebuilt in 1702 and during the eighteenth century there were further additions and changes to not only the house but also its gardens and the extensive grounds. The Wilmot family were based at this house until the marriage of Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, 3rd Baronet to Anne Beatrix Horton, the heiress of Catton Hall
Catton Hall
Catton Hall is a country house near the boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. It gives its postal address as Walton-on-Trent although there was a village of Catton at one time. It is a Grade II* listed building....
in 1823, whereupon the Wilmot family conjoined Horton to its name and changed its main residence. Notable members of the Wilmot family associated with the house not only include the first three Wilmot baronets of Osmaston but also Sir John Eardley Wilmot
John Eardley Wilmot
Sir John Eardley Wilmot PC , was an English judge, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas from 1766 to 1771.-Family and early life:...
who rose to be Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.
Its grounds covered 250 acres (1 km²) and included a small lake. The Wilmot family
Wilmot Baronets
There have been three Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Wilmot, one in the Baronetage of Ireland and two in the Baronetage of Great Britain. One creation is extant as of 2008....
lived on the estate for almost 200 years. Before it was purchased in 1890 by the Midland Railway Company it contained a fine art collection which included numerous paintings. The house and gardens were reportedly sold for £86,000. At the time of the purchase the hall was the home of the Reverend Sir George Lewis Wilmot-Horton, Bart. (who died in 1887).
It was the home to William Darwin Fox
William Darwin Fox
The Reverend William Darwin Fox was an English clergyman, naturalist, and a 2nd cousin of Charles Robert Darwin.- Early life :...
who was a second cousin and close friend of Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin FRS was an English naturalist. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.He published his theory...
who stayed at the hall. The Fox family were renting the house from the owner Sir Robert Wilmot, Bart
Sir Robert Wilmot, 2nd Baronet
Sir Robert Wilmot Bart was the natural son of Sir Robert Wilmot the first baronet of Osmaston Hall, who was the Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.-Biography:...
.
In October 1892 the hall was the location of a nine-hole golf course and was the home of the 120-member Derbyshire Golf Club. Within six years there were nearly 200 members including several notable gentry. Although the hall offered a home, the club obtained a course at Littleover
Littleover
Littleover is a large suburb of Derby, England situated between Rose Hill, Normanton, Sunny Hill, South Derbyshire and Mickleover about three miles south west of Derby city centre.-History:The history of the name of Littleover is simple...
.
After the departure of the golf club, the Midland Railway used the building as a document store. The London, Midland and Scottish Railway
London, Midland and Scottish Railway
The London Midland and Scottish Railway was a British railway company. It was formed on 1 January 1923 under the Railways Act of 1921, which required the grouping of over 120 separate railway companies into just four...
continued to use the hall as a store until they had the building, the adjoining farm and stables demolished in 1938. The grounds were purchased by Derby City Council in 1946-7. Today the grounds are occupied by the Ascot Drive Industrial estate in Derby, although Osmaston Park still shows a green outlook.