Darley Abbey
History
Darley Abbey is a little historical village in Derby, it
is a very peaceful place, where there is a lot
of restored mill cottages, all built in rows or around squares. Originally it was an Augustinian
priory that was founded by Robert Ferrers , the second Earl of
Derby, he founded it around 1146.
The Abbey (A pub there) is the only
building that remains today that is thought too have been
used as a guest
house for pilgrims and travellers by the Abbeys in the Thirteenth century.
It was
also one of the most important buildings in Derbyshire but it was
surrendered as part of the
Dissolution of Monastries in 1538 and was
almost totally obliterated. The pub has been restored
and is very
popular.
Darley Park, which borders the village, was landscaped by
William Evans and now has attractive
flowerbeds, lawns and shrubberies
running down to the River Derwent, which is used as for boating
and has an annual regatta. At one time there was a hall situated near the
River Derwent that was built in 1727 but was
later demolished, it was for 120 years the home of the Evans
family who built the cotton mill by the River Derwent in 1783. The
area of the mill is a complex that is quite large. The oldest parts (East
mill, Middle Mill and West Mill) are brick built
which have five storeys, they date from 1789-92, the rest are all pre 1850.
There is another house, a finishing house that has 3 storeys, sash windows
and an octagonal toll house in the mill yard.
Most of the houses that are still there in Darley Abbey were
built by the Evans family, they were mostly three-storeyed and built of
red brick. The Evans Family Employed a lot of
villagers. The villagers worked for the Evans and were cared
for, they were given subsidised rent, coal and hot meals for the sick and
old. There was warm blankets provided for them
and there was even a convalescent in Llandudno. Villagers were buried
at the expense of the Evans and memorial tablets were erected. Darley
Abbey is also famous because it is in Derby and Derby is the most
haunted place in the U.K. Here Is a Picture
of The Abbey (A Pub That Is Haunted)
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