Old Hall, Hall Lane, Middle Mayfield, Ashbourne, Derbyshire. £825k


Old Hall is well named, having been built in the 16th century, I would guess some time in the last quarter.  It is of a smooth, hard stone which has worn better (or I should say hardly worn at all) than the sandstone of West and South Yorkshire and Lancashire, in which there are many contemporary properties constructed.  It seems also to have avoided the blackening effect of the coal which covers so many of its peers in industrial Yorkshire and Lancashire.  I love its chimneys particularly.

The recent improvements to the property seem to have been over seen by a local heritage group:

http://mayfieldheritage.org.uk/old-hall-farm-middle-mayfield/

I must say I rather like the softening effect the earlier planting had on the stone, which one can see in the first photograph in the link above, before the restoration. A few roses round a door are never amiss, except when they sink their thorns into your scalp.

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5316151





The first photograph shows the amazing lime plaster ceiling, dating from the early 17th 
century. This is one of the features that causes the property to be listed grade II*.  In the room in the photograph below there is a large early fireplace and mullioned and transomed windows.  It would seem the floors have been relaid or replaced.  I like the ochre coloured ceilings in these two further reception rooms. The dining room has Elizabethan paneling and another huge fireplace, this time of stone arched construction, rather than with a wooden beam.  The current owners have chosen the period furnishings well, but have succumbed to the de cluttered look, which makes the property seem as if it has just been done up to sell.  It needs some fruit and flowers and a few books about the place.




The bedrooms don’t seem to feature, perhaps they haven’t been done up so much.  The bathroom is spacious, if a little stark.  I would like an oriental rug or two in here. 



The kitchen’s a bit unrelenting.  The grey is quite soft and smokey, but there is too much of it. When you have enough taste to furnish your other rooms with period furnishings, why modernise the kitchen.  It could be so homely with proper furniture in it.  However carefully the walls have been treated with lime plaster and breathable paint, those built in cupboards will go damp inside eventually, whereas free standing oak furniture can be kept clear of the walls.  Again one is tempted to conclude this has been done with the idea of appealing to a silly woman with a consciousness of fashion, in order to make money, rather than what is really best in the long run. 

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-58563189.html



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