WILLERSLEY CASTLE HOTEL, DERBYSHIRE

Willersley Castle Hotel is a fine, Grade II* listed building, designed in the style of a castle, which occupies an elevated position in extensive grounds, with views over the Derwent valley. The elevations feature striking, projecting, circular turrets which rise above the castellated parapets. The construction of Willersley castle began in 1790, commissioned by Sir Richard Arkwright, the great industrialist who developed the Water Frame, which revolutionised the cotton milling industry in this country and worldwide. Many of the original features of the building can still be seen today, the most striking of which is probably the Well Gallery. This is an oval gallery with glass dome over, situated in the centre of the building, with cantilevered galleries.

The castle was bought in 1927 by a group of Methodist businessmen as a Methodist Guild Holiday Centre. Today the castle is run by Methodist Guild Holidays Ltd as a popular venue for holidays, residential conferences and other events.

CPL Chartered Architects were commissioned to carry out some sensitive internal alterations to provide a new hotel bar, lounge and meeting room with new access to a refurbished landscaped central courtyard to improve the guest experience.

Careful research and historical analysis was carried out as part of the design process to help secure Planning and Listed Building consent for work to this important historical building.