Discover Unstone

Unstone offers several specific points of interest for travellers interested in architectural and local history: houses from different centuries, distinctive roof structures and remains from its industrial past. These details reveal different aspects of the village, whose history is not limited to a single period.

Manor House and its architectural design

Unstone Manor House dates from 1630; alterations made in the 18th century add a later building phase to this early date. The house is L-shaped and built of Coal Measures sandstone. Ashlar dressings are another part of its architectural description. Its age, floor plan and building material offer different clues to help place the building in context: the date points to when it was built, while the later alterations and design provide further details about its history.

Farmhouses: roof structures, doors and interiors

At Ash Lane Farmhouse, the roof structure is a particular point of interest. The construction includes four cruck frames, as well as tie beams and collars. Gable crucks support the half-hipped roofs. These technical terms describe different parts of the roof structure and show that the interest here is not just the age of the farmhouse, but also how its roof is supported.

Summerley Farmhouse combines an early date with later changes: the house dates from 1605, or the early 17th century, and was extended in the 19th century. Details of its construction have also been recorded. The doorway is off-centre; its substantial, ashlar-surrounded frame has a lintel beneath a hoodmould, a projecting feature above the opening. The two main ground-floor rooms retain 17th-century oak axial beams and ceiling beams with chamfered edges. Summerley therefore offers a focus on both the building’s development over several centuries and details of its door and ceilings.

Agricultural and industrial history

The Old Barns is a Grade II listed building. Originally, the group consisted of two agricultural outbuildings. Its components date from the late 16th and late 17th centuries; the building was converted to a new use in 1984. Surviving structural features include exposed late 17th-century queen-strut trusses with tie beams. Straight wind braces are present on one side of each. Its listing, former agricultural function, conversion and visible roof structure are different aspects of its history and should not be reduced to a single date.

The Unstone Line is also part of the village’s history: it preserves remains of railway arches and mining buildings. This adds an industrial theme to the architectural history of the houses and farmhouses. The surviving structures point to railway and mining history; their function differs from that of the agricultural buildings and older houses.

The Unstone Line and the Drone Valley Way

The connection between the route and the industrial heritage is also relevant when exploring local points of interest. The 7.5-mile Drone Valley Way passes through Unstone and connects with the Unstone Line. The route’s 7.5-mile length and connection to the Unstone Line are useful reference points for your plans. Trail conditions can change, so check the latest conditions before setting out on a planned walk.

When looking for a hotel in Unstone, consider whether the village’s architectural history or the connection between the route and its industrial heritage interests you most. Manor House, the farmhouses, The Old Barns and the Unstone Line represent different historical themes; the Drone Valley Way adds a clearly named route connection to the mix. This is a way to explore Unstone through its own architectural and local history.

Discover more destinations: Breadsall, Tibshelf, Hardstoft, Yeaveley, Hope Valley, Ault Hucknall, Bolsover, Hartington

For the broader travel overview: Derbyshire.