Tucked within the rugged heart of the Goyt Valley in Derbyshire lie the moss-covered ruins of Errwood Hall—a place where history and silence linger in equal measure. On a recent walk through the valley, I explored the site and surrounding moorland, seeking traces of a forgotten estate that once stood proudly hidden by trees.
History & The Grimshawe Family
Errwood Hall was built around 1830 by the Grimshawe family, wealthy industrialists from Manchester. They used the hall as a grand country retreat, surrounded by landscaped gardens, exotic plants, and a private chapel. Among the plants they introduced were azaleas and rhododendrons, which have since spread far beyond the estate, carpeting the surrounding hillsides in vibrant colour each spring. The family left a strong mark on the area—not only through their estate but also through their charitable work and their connection to the local Catholic community.
The Shrine of Miss Dolores
One of the most intriguing parts of the site’s story is the shrine to Miss Dolores de Ybarguen, a Spanish companion to the Grimshawe family. She was so beloved that, upon her death in the 1880s, the family built a shrine in her honour not far from the hall. Unfortunately, on this recent visit I wasn’t able to locate the shrine—but I hope to find it on my next visit.
The Cemetery on the Hill
High on a nearby hill lies the family cemetery, where members of the Grimshawe family and some servants were laid to rest. The secluded burial site overlooks the valley, providing a solemn reminder of those who once lived and worked here.
Ghost Stories & Hauntings
Errwood Hall does have some strange stories to tell. Visitors and locals have shared accounts such as a photographer capturing an image of a woman in a white gown kneeling as if in prayer near the ruins, and a woman recounting seeing a ghostly funeral procession, possibly carrying a coffin to the Grimshawe family cemetery. n 1914, two maids reportedly witnessed a spectral figure inside the hall itself, and a man recalled, as a child, seeing a young boy dressed in old-fashioned clothes walk into a pipe near the river—and then vanish without a trace. These stories have been passed down and still occasionally witnessed.
Decline & The Reservoir
The hall itself fell into decline after the last of the Grimshawe family died in the early 20th century. During the construction of the Fernilee Reservoir in the 1930s, Errwood Hall was partly demolished to prevent pollution of the water supply. What remains now are hauntingly beautiful stone foundations, staircases that lead nowhere, and glimpses of what once was.
Our walk didn’t stop at the hall. The surrounding landscape offers stunning moorland trails that stretch out across the valley—wide skies, windswept heather, and views that linger in the mind long after the boots come off.
Scattered beyond the hall are the ruined cottages. Built during the 19th century to house workers and staff, these buildings were eventually abandoned as the hall was dismantled and the population moved on. Now, they too sit in quiet ruin, half-swallowed by nature and time.
Walking through this landscape, it’s easy to feel the weight of stories left behind. There’s a stillness here that speaks louder than any guidebook could, a sense that you’re never walking entirely alone.
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