In 1862 Willersley was described as follows:

"Willersley Castle, 2 miles S. from Matlock, the elegant seat of Peter Arkwright, Esq., is a handsome Gothic structural built of white freestone. It stands on a bold eminence, with verdant lawns sloping to the margin of the Derwent. Immediately opposite the castle rises an immense range of perpendicular rocks, whose grey crags jut over the sylvan walk which goes from Cromford to the chapel. The summits of these rocks are fringed with trees and underwood; and the view from the lawn is one of great diversity, and beautifully romantic. The grounds at the back of the castle rise to a considerable height, and are richly clothed with wood. The gardens and tasteful pleasure grounds are open to visitors two days every week. In the gardens is an immense gooseberry tree, trained to a wall, with branches 30 feet in length. The various branches of this remarkable tree measure 305 feet. The interior of the mansion is furnished with taste and elegance, and contains some admirable paintings by Wright of Derby, among which is a fine portrait of Sir Richard Arkwright, and a view of Ulswater lake, purchased by Mr. Arkwright, for 300 guineas. This is considered equal to any effort of landscape painting that this country has ever produced. Sir Richard Arkwright purchased this estate in 1782, of Thomas Hallet Hodges, Esq. In 1788, he erected a handsome mansion, which was reduced to a shell by an accidental fire in 1791, before it had been inhabited. On leaving the grounds the company are passed through a door, descending by Hag Tor and Wild Cat Tor, to the Lover's Walk, by far the most attractive portions of the Dale^[1]."

Willersley was used as a hospital from the beginning of World War One (Willersley Auxiliary Hospital) but, following the death of Frederic Arkwright in 1923, most of the estate was sold. During and just after WW2 Willersley Castle was used as a maternity home^[2]. Various people have written to the webmistress mentioning this, sometimes referring to their, or their relative's, birthplace as "Matlock Castle". It is now an hotel run by the Christian Guild^[2].


You may like to view more information on this website about the Arkwright family:
Matlock Biographies See ARKWRIGHT
Description of ARKWRIGHT Coat of Arms
Pedigree of ARKWRIGHT
Arkwright Family MI's
Matlock and Matlock Bath Trades Directories & Census
Cromford, DBY : Trades Directories and a little about the village
Wolley Manuscripts, Matlock
'The Beauties of England and Wales' (1802), cotton manufacturing, the mills, Willersley & the surrounding area, Sir Richard Arkwright
Cromford Church and Bridge - this is on the opposite side of the River Derwent and is where several members of the Arkwright family are buried

External Links:
National Portrait Gallery Search the collection (opens in a new window)