Derby House

Derby House is a farmhouse, later used as an inn and now a house, dating from the late 17th or very early 18th century, with later 18th-century additions. The building is constructed of white-painted scored stucco on sandstone rubble, with a stone slate roof. It has an asymmetric U-shaped plan, comprising a 2-unit main range, a 2-unit cross-wing to the left, and a long rear wing to the right. The two-storey front elevation has a 1:2 window arrangement, with the first bay gabled. The doorway on the main range, located near where it joins the wing, has a square head with plain stone jambs and lintel, set within a round-headed moulded surround. The windows are large and square, with raised raked sills, housing 3-light casements with 2-light overlights. There’s a ridge chimney on the main range and another on the wing. The left return of the wing has one 3-light casement at ground floor and two above. The rear of the wing, which is unrendered, includes a staircase outshut overlapping the main range. The other wing has, among other features, a 3+2 light sliding sash window on the first floor. Inside, the third bay features a large, broad-chamfered beam. The under-drawn ceiling in the second bay may conceal a similar beam. The house contains a late 17th-century dog-legged staircase with a closed string, rectangular newel, turned balusters, and a moulded handrail. Derby House forms a group with Spring Cottage to the left and Rosehill Cottage adjoining to the right.