The Old Rectory, Eckington
The Old Rectory, Church Street, Eckington, Derbyshire, S21 4BG
The Old Rectory at Eckington is described by the architectural guide Pevsner as a late 18th Century building, but the earliest section of the house dates back to 1721, on the site of an earlier building with extensions in 1760 and 1795. The architect is unknown but may have been William Lindley, a pupil of famous Sir John Carr. The exterior is largely unchanged from its 1795 appearance. The Rectory has an additional section, known as the Vicarage, rebuilt in 1895.
The Old Rectory, Vicarage and Rectory cottage housed successive Rectors, their families and staff. Civic Parish Council Meetings were held there until the late C20s. It housed St Peter and St Paul's independent school founded by Elizabeth Branson, sister of the Rector, in the mid C20.
The gardens, once 5 acres, were laid out by Rector Christopher Alderson, a renowned garden designer between 1771 and 1795. His original design has been recovered. The present smaller garden has been developed by the present owners and is still graced by Alderson's signature copper beech tree. The gardens were used for entertainment for wounded WW1 soldiers, church garden parties, cricket and tennis matches.
The house remained with the church until 1993 when it passed in private ownership. The owners have restored the interior. The ground floor will be open for guided tours. The Vicarage, often used separately throughout the later years of C20, containing two Grade 2* rooms will not be included but is visible externally.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 20 September:
- 1030-1630
Location & directions
The Old Rectory, Church Street, Eckington, Derbyshire, S21 4BG
- Directions:
- The Old Rectory is on the left side of the road approaching from Sheffield or Rotherham Roads, right hand side travelling East from Eckington Town Centre. It is opposite the town's War Memorial on a small green. There is roadside parking and a small car park next to the church. Please take case if crossing the road. Access to the gardens from Rectory Close. The church is open on the same day and the Old Rectory tours and refreshments are available there. Coming by bus? The No. 50 and 50a Sheffield to Chesterfield bus stops close to the church as does the no. 252 Bus which connects Sheffield and Eckington, on a route passing through Crystal Peaks, Eckington, Ridgeway and Heeley. The service 53 Mansfield to Sheffield bus also goes through Eckington. For details of these and other services see the Stagecoach website (stagecoachbus.com) or Derbyshire Buses (derbysbus.info).
- Contact on day:
- Ms Lainy Chambers
- Telephone number:
- +447743322115
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Book on day
- Booking conditions:
- The booking desk for the tours of the Old Rectory is in the Church. Tours will be approximately hourly during the day starting at 1100.
Accessibility details
The Old Rectory Gardens are freely available throughout the day. The entrance and exit will be via Rectory Close. The Old Rectory and gardens do not have toilets but an accessible toilet and refreshments are available in the Church, open all day. Dogs welcome in the garden only and must be on leads. Eckington Church and the Old Rectory are on opposite sides of a busy road. Care must be taken crossing this road and visitors are advised to use the crossing point opposite Rectory Close, which is indicated by dropped curbs.
Additional information
- Max no of people per tour:
- 10
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)
