Willersley Castle

Willersley Castle is a battlemented country mansion above the River Derwent at Cromford, Derbyshire, built for cotton pioneer Sir Richard Arkwright. It is a Grade II* listed building, a category reserved for particularly important structures, and sits just outside the Peak District National Park near Matlock Bath, within the Derwent Valley Mills landscape.

What is Willersley Castle?

Despite the name, this is no medieval fortress. It is a late 18th-century house designed by William Thomas, with three storeys, a seven-bay front and crenellations that give it a castle look. Inside, its best-known feature is an oval hall lit from above through the roof. Construction began around 1790 and a fire in 1791 set the project back. Arkwright died in 1792 without ever living here, and his son Richard Arkwright II moved in around 1796.

What happened after the Arkwrights?

The family held the house into the 1920s. In 1927 a group of Methodist businessmen bought it, and in 1928 it opened as a Methodist Guild holiday centre. From 1940 to 1945 it served as a maternity hospital before returning to holiday use. It then operated as a hotel for decades. After closing in 2020 following the Covid lockdown, it was put on the market at around 4 million pounds, with a gate house, a mews block containing more rooms and conference space, and a separate building housing a swimming pool. Local press later reported it as under offer, with the new owner expected to keep it as a hotel.

Can you visit Willersley Castle?

It is privately owned and is not a museum, so access depends on the current owner. Check the hotel's present status before planning a visit. The house can be seen from public paths along the Derwent and from around Cromford, so you can admire it from outside without going in.

What else is nearby?

Cromford is the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arkwright started Cromford Mill here in 1771, one of the first water-powered cotton mills. In the village, look for the workers' houses on North Street and walk along the Cromford Canal. Matlock Bath, with the Heights of Abraham cable car, is a short drive away.

How do you get there?

Cromford is about 4 km from Matlock along the A6. Drive, or take the train to Cromford station on the Derwent Valley line and walk. There is parking at Cromford Mill.

Frequently asked questions

Is Willersley Castle a real castle? No. It is a Georgian-Gothic style mansion from the 1790s, and the battlements are decorative.

Who built it? Richard Arkwright commissioned it and William Thomas designed it. Arkwright died before he could move in.

Can I stay overnight? It ran as a hotel until 2020. Confirm the current situation with the owner before planning a stay.

Is there an entrance fee? There is no regular public admission. You can view the exterior free from public paths nearby.