The History
This very grand former villa was built in 1840 for Joseph Davenport, a leading manufacturer in the silk mill industry. It later became home to James Patrick Doherty, a former Mayor of Derby. In 1932 it was sold to become offices for the Midland Counties Colliery Owners' Association and marked the end of one of Derby's best known places of residence. The house is Grade II listed and once stood in spacious grounds but was eventually consumed by the expanding Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. It was used by the hospital as the ‘School of Nursing’ and was vacated in early 2010. The developers plan to refurb the place & convert Wilderslowe into 10 flats with work beginning this Autumn. They’ve certainly got their work cut out... Man this place was rotten.
This very grand former villa was built in 1840 for Joseph Davenport, a leading manufacturer in the silk mill industry. It later became home to James Patrick Doherty, a former Mayor of Derby. In 1932 it was sold to become offices for the Midland Counties Colliery Owners' Association and marked the end of one of Derby's best known places of residence. The house is Grade II listed and once stood in spacious grounds but was eventually consumed by the expanding Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. It was used by the hospital as the ‘School of Nursing’ and was vacated in early 2010. The developers plan to refurb the place & convert Wilderslowe into 10 flats with work beginning this Autumn. They’ve certainly got their work cut out... Man this place was rotten.
The Explore
After purchasing the former DRI site, the current developers went to town with metal sheeting, cameras, heras and annoying talking PIRs pointed at the possible entry points… Bar one. Took a fair bit of head scratching and a bit of team work to make it inside (thanks to @bmichelle @Gsxrwayne and a non-member). The place is much bigger on the inside than it looks, with no less than six staircases winding their way around this maze of a building. Over its years of dereliction pikeys and idiots have roughed the place up a bit but architecturally, I still found this place very interesting and it has some very nice features, both internally and externally. Plus there was still a bit of NHS paraphernalia lying about which is always a bonus.
After purchasing the former DRI site, the current developers went to town with metal sheeting, cameras, heras and annoying talking PIRs pointed at the possible entry points… Bar one. Took a fair bit of head scratching and a bit of team work to make it inside (thanks to @bmichelle @Gsxrwayne and a non-member). The place is much bigger on the inside than it looks, with no less than six staircases winding their way around this maze of a building. Over its years of dereliction pikeys and idiots have roughed the place up a bit but architecturally, I still found this place very interesting and it has some very nice features, both internally and externally. Plus there was still a bit of NHS paraphernalia lying about which is always a bonus.
Very imposing
I do find it a bit of a looker from the front with the wonderful columns
But no so much from the other side
Inside now and incredibly the large skylight was still intact. And no, there's no colouring in on this photo, the sun broke through and lit up the bright green gloop and gave the entire landing a green glow.
Books and medical files still lying around
So much peel
Books and medical files still lying around
So much peel
This huge, ornate wooden fireplace surround sat in the centre of a very large pitch black room on the ground floor and at first the elaborate painted tiles were hidden by dirt and smoke damage. Thankfully there was a handy ripped curtain nearby to wipe them down with. Probably the nicest fireplace I’ve seen, just a shame the mirror was smashed. Definitely could’ve done with the tripod here, but I left it behind as ‘going in light’ was necessary because of the entry.
Detailing on the huge wooden surround was superb
Standing at the main entrance, looking towards the (unfortunately) badly vandalised staircase with all the balustrade smashed off
An (again vandalised) Monet waterlilies print on the wall next to the door
Surprised the smackheads haven't hoovered these up...
Cover the place in razorwire, sheeting and alarms but don't fix the whacking great hole in the roof
The basement was massive and covered in all kinds of horrid looking mould. The only thing of interest was a couple of safes and a single file containing minutes from various meetings back in the early 80's
And finally a breath of fresh air up on the roof
Looking over the former DRI site. At the far right of the picture the cooling towers of Ratcliffe power station can be seen, some 10 miles away.
That's it, one of my favourite places in Derby
Detailing on the huge wooden surround was superb
Standing at the main entrance, looking towards the (unfortunately) badly vandalised staircase with all the balustrade smashed off
An (again vandalised) Monet waterlilies print on the wall next to the door
Surprised the smackheads haven't hoovered these up...
Cover the place in razorwire, sheeting and alarms but don't fix the whacking great hole in the roof
The basement was massive and covered in all kinds of horrid looking mould. The only thing of interest was a couple of safes and a single file containing minutes from various meetings back in the early 80's
And finally a breath of fresh air up on the roof
Looking over the former DRI site. At the far right of the picture the cooling towers of Ratcliffe power station can be seen, some 10 miles away.
That's it, one of my favourite places in Derby
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