Description: In medieval times the Manor of Duffield belonged to the Crown and was sold by Charles I, (allegedly to pay his grocery bill!). The first known residents of Duffield Hall were the Newton family and Thomas Newton is believed to have built the Hall in the 1620's. Nothing is known of the architect but it is certain that the core of the building is Jacobean. The Newtons of Duffield died out in 1709 but it is clear that the original Thomas' son, also named Thomas, had disposed of the property during his lifetime. The next owner was Henry Coape who was Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1703. Henry Coape's only son died without issue in 1778 and the estate passed to Henry Porter. Henry Porter was apparently also without a direct heir, as his estate passed via the related family of Bonell to Thomas Porter Bonell. His daughter married Sir Charles H. Colville, who is recorded as living at the Hall in 1829 and 1847 ( the scene seen here dates from this period). The Hall then passed to John Bell Crompton who was a member of a Derby banking family, but a noted dairy farmer in his own right. He continued to farm the Duffield land until 1870, but the Hall was sold to Rowland Smith in 1860. Rowland Smith was in residence during his term as Member of Parliament for South Derbyshire from 1868 to 1874 and while Sheriff of the County in 1877. He carried out many improvements and renovations, which were completed in 1871 and it is his crest which appears over the entrance porch. The Smiths continued to live at the Hall until after the first world war, when it ceased to be a private residence and was turned into an independent boarding and day school for girls, known as St. Ronan's. After the closure of the school in 1971, the Hall stood empty for a number of years and the building decayed. The once beautiful grounds were subjected to the ravages of time but some trees survived, principal of which was the famous Duffield cedar mentioned in White's Directory of 1857.
In November, 1977, after more than four years planning and work, the Hall was taken into use as new headquarters for The Derbyshire Building Society. By that time, part of the grounds had been taken for housing and an access road built.
(extracted from the interesting website:- www.duffieldderbyshire.co.uk)