Description: This was originally a small 13th Augustinian Priory and was later converted to a large Elizabethan house after 1573 by Sir John Bentley. Successive owners have all left their mark on the building, covering the older parts of the building. In 1967 it was bought by the Harper-Crewe family from Calke who sold it for development and it is now a hotel and leisure complex.
The most famous resident of Breadsall Priory was the poet, physician and scientist Erasmus Darwin, who lived there for a short time until his death in 1802. Grandfather of Charles Darwin, Erasmus is one of the most remarkable and internationally important figures of the 18th century and is buried in Breadsall church.
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.