Grade II listed Riber Hall has been at the centre of the local community for hundreds of years
Described by Pevsner as having ‘unselfconscious picturesqueness’, Riber Hall is an early 17th century manor house with a fascinating history. On the gently rising lane that leads to the hamlet of Riber, near Matlock, and in the shadow of imposing Riber Castle, the Hall has two and a half acres of wooded grounds and enjoys breathtaking views across some of Derbyshire’s most beautiful countryside.
Once a home of the Wolleys, an old Derbyshire family, a stone on the front of the house bears the date 1633, but the family had lived at Riber since the early 15th century and it is believed that the present house stands on the site of a 15th century building.
During the Civil War, Riber Hall was a royalist stronghold and it is rumoured that a secret passageway exists from the Hall to the royalist village of Dethick, where the Babingtons lived.
Much later, the Hall was occupied by the Gregory family, and from the 1970s until it was sold in 2007 it earned a reputation as a renowned country hotel and restaurant.
Now a splendid family home, careful refurbishments by the current owners have helped Riber Hall to retain much of its historic charm and character. Intricate plasterwork and detailed moulded cornices, mullioned windows, historic ceiling beams, period panelling, exposed stonework and fine period fireplaces add to the Hall’s unique charm.
The characterful sitting room features a Hopton marble fire surround with a Georgian inset grate, and the principal reception room – which was formerly the hotel dining room – is interestingly split over two levels. The large kitchen is augmented by a preparation area, utility room and a walk-in store room, and there are also useful reception offices, a study and ground floor wc accommodation. Three of the five bedrooms have en suite facilites and there is a further bathroom and a shower room.
In addition to the main house, the renovated former stables provide Riber Hall with excellent income potential. The buildings were re-converted to form twelve en suite bedrooms around twenty years ago and are currently used as incredibly popular self-catering units that generate approximately £120,000 per year. (The business return is £115,000 per annum and rates are £6,000 on a one part-time employee basis).
Each is superbly appointed with period furniture, an en-suite bathroom or shower room and a kitchenette. The units present an excellent opportunity for conversion into holiday lets or ancillary accommodation and are complemented by a conservatory/sitting room and dining room.
The glorious grounds include formal and secluded gardens, a small paddock and a surfaced tennis court.
Riber Hall is offered for sale by Fidler Taylor & Co (01629 580228) and Caudwell & Co (01629 810018). Price on application.
