Wingfield Manor, a historic site in Derbyshire, has faced numerous crumbling issues. Once a shelter for Mary, Queen of Scots, a battleground in the English Civil War, and a site of one of the country’s earliest flushing toilets, the manor has now fallen into disrepair. Access to the ruins, situated atop a hill in the Amber Valley, is no longer available to the public.
Barry Joyce, former manager of the conservation and design team at Derbyshire County Council and now vice-chair of Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT), is leading the fight to save the building. In the 1950s, the government’s Ministry of Works found that the owner wasn’t maintaining the Grade I-listed building or ensuring its safety as a scheduled ancient monument. Consequently, part of the building was removed from the owner’s management and passed to English Heritage.
Despite the efforts of English Heritage, the manor is not being well-maintained. Joyce believes it is the responsibility of the government to ensure the manor’s upkeep.
Many individuals feel strongly about the manor’s decay, including Vicky Parsons, a retired teacher who regretted its deteriorated state, and Jonathan Clitheroe, who runs a walking group for people with learning disabilities, believes it would be wonderful to see it reopen to the public for its historical significance.
The DHBT even considered raising funds to purchase the manor themselves, but decided it was a far-fetched idea.
English Heritage acknowledges the importance of Wingfield Manor, noting it is a late-medieval aristocratic house that influenced the development of palaces like Hampton Court Palace. They also admit to the complexity of managing and conserving the site, given it is partly in private ownership.
A spokesperson for Historic England confirmed they are aware of the manor’s condition and are collaborating with English Heritage to determine the steps needed for a sustainable future. However, they have not offered to purchase the building.
The current owner, Sam Critchlow, said he is open to reasonable offers for the manor’s sale.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/mar/09/derbyshire-fight-to-save-wingfield-manor-english-heritage
