Brief Description
Ilam Hall is a 19th-century country house with associated terraced gardens, wooded parkland and formal features, in a Peak District setting. The site is owned by the National Trust, with the hall let to the Youth Hostel Association as a hostel (not currently open).
History
The hall and gardens were designed and built in the 1820s.
Visitor Facilities
The park is open daily throughout the year. More informationTerrain
HillyDetailed Description
The grounds themselves include a well-maintained park, with coniferous planting. Given the park's location on the edge of the Peak District, these trees, surrounded by the hills of the White Peak, give it a somewhat alpine or Scottish appearance.
More formal areas include an architectural garden with castellated terrace. The terrace provides good views towards the church, and a well-maintained park, with coniferous planting.- Features
- House (featured building)
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Terrace
- Description: Castellated terrace.
- Access & Directions
Access Contact Details
The park is open daily throughout the year.Directions
http://peakdistrict.nationaltrust.org.uk/ilam-park
- Authorities
Civil Parish
- Ashbourne
- History
Detailed History
The site was described by Dr Johnson in his diary of 1774, but the present Ilam Hall was built for Jesse Watts Russell between 1821 and 1826. It was designed by John Shaw. A tithe map from 1837 shows the park to the north of the hall, containing (probably ancient) woods, and a large area of well-preserved ridge and furrow earthworks. It also evidences an orchard, walled garden, and a terraced garden raised on arches (also shown on an engraving dating to 1827).Today the house is used as youth hostel, and the grounds maintained by the National Trust.
- Contact
Telephone
0844 800 1895Official Website
Other websites
Owners
The National Trust
Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA
- References
References
- Pevsner, N. {The Buildings of England: Staffordshire} (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1974), p.152-153.The Buildings of England: Staffordshire
- Adam, W. {The Gem of the Peak, or Matlock Bath and its Vicinity}, (1851) p.217-220.The Gem of the Peak, or Matlock Bath and its Vicinity
- White, W. {A History, Gazetteer and Directory of Staffordshire} (Sheffield, 1851), ref: JW Russell Esq,A History, Gazetteer and Directory of Staffordshire
- Morris, F.O. {A Series of Picturesque Views of the Seats of the Noblemen and gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland} (London, 1868), 1, 41.A Series of Picturesque Views of the Seats of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland
- Pitt, W. {General View of the Agriculture of the County of Stafford ith observations on the means of its improvement}, (1796) p.195-196.General View of the Agriculture of the County of Stafford with observations on the means of its improvement
- Nightingale, J. {Topographical and Historical Description of the County of Stafford}, (1810) p.978-980.Topographical and Historical Description of the County of Stafford