Description: Lea Hurst, a 17th century gabled house much enlarged in 1825, was once the home of Florence Nightingale. Although she was born in Florence, she spent much of her childhood at the house, and returned here after serving as a nurse in the Crimean War.
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.