Hydebank House

Hydebank House is a house that likely dates back to the 17th century but was largely rebuilt in 1806 for Samuel Oldknow and extensively remodeled in 1897. The building is constructed of coursed square rubble with some ashlar added in 1897, and it has slate roofs. It features a three-bay central stair hall plan, representing a polite portion of an older house, while the service wings continued from the original structure. After the 1897 remodeling, it became a separate property.

The house has two storeys and an attic, with a three-bay front. The ground floor showcases 1897 rectangular three-light ashlar bays flanking the 1806 entrance, which is above three plate glass sashes in plain stone surrounds, topped with a cornice. There are two ridge stacks, with the central one positioned oddly away from the fireplace. The west side elevation includes a two-storey canted bay from 1897, while the east side features a blocked two-light mullioned window above a single light window, which may not be original. The attic floors of both gables are clearly an extension from 1806, made of coursed square rubble of a different character, and contain a Y-tracery window at each gable. These windows, known as the Oldknow windows, were also introduced by Oldknow into his mills in the area.

Inside, the stair hall has stone flags and a stone staircase from 1806 with stick balusters and a mahogany handrail with a curtail. The interior details are a mix of features from 1806 and 1897, aside from a fireplace introduced around 1870 in the drawing room. There are a couple of Georgian hob grates, two ceilings from 1897, and a cupboard, but nothing particularly noteworthy. The main significance of the house lies in its historical connection to Samuel Oldknow, a local mill owner and key figure in the construction of the Peak Forest Canal, which runs through the Hydebank tunnel under the garden. This historical association, along with its group value with the older Hydebank Farmhouse, contributes to its architectural interest and listing status.