Description: The site was originally parkland surrounding an Elizabethan manor, which can be seen here. Drakelow Hall was owned for 850 years by a local family; The Greseley's of Drakelow.
The text below this engraving reads 'Drakelow, Derbyshire. the seat of Sir Nig. B. Gresley Bart:'
Published in the Magna Britannia: volume 5 in 1817 it is stated that 'This estate was afterwards in the Meynells, of whom it was purchased, about the year 1775, by Sir Nigel Gresley, Bart, grandfather of Sir Roger Gresley, Bart., the present proprietor.'
Drakelow Hall was demolished in 1934 and a power station was built on the site. The 'Painted Room', once a highlight of the Hall, is preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
This image is one of a collection by the famous local antiquarian, Thomas Bateman, of Middleton by Youlgreave. (1821-1861). Bateman organized his collection by inserting them into a 4 volume copy of Lysons Magna Britannia, Derbyshire, creating a fascinating and unique illustrated record of the county. The purchase of the collection for Derbyshire Libraries was made possible by the generous bequest of Miss Frances Webb of Whaley Bridge, well known local historian, who died in December 2006.